Even though humans have the capability to be compassionate towards others when they haven’t experienced the same themselves, it has limits and you can't truly understand what another person is feeling until you are put in the same situation.
But when they do suffer through the same thing, they have a different level of appreciation of those people. When Reddit user allycakes asked Redditors “How has having a s****y job changed how you act?” most people admitted that they mostly just try to be as kind and helpful as they can to certain workers so they'll feel better that day.
Have you ever had a job that changed they way you do things or talk to people? Let us know your stories in the comments!
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Since I've run bookstores in the past, I tend to reorder the shelves at my local Barneys & Ignoble. I once spent two hours doing their history section. A manager came over, asked what I was doing, checked my work, walked away, then came back with a job application and a free drink from their cafe.
Because I worked fast food when I was younger, i'm always polite and calm when getting food. Even if they are seriously f*****g up, and i'm in a terrible mood, I make sure to stay calm and polite.
I have flashback still of the abuses I endured by management and customers. I never want to make anyone feel like that. It sticks with you for years. If I do see a mistake I'd rather help them learn than berate them. You learn by f*****g up.
I've worked as a bartender. I'm always courteous and patient and I always tip well. Everyone should have to have at least one job in either retail or food service.
An idea: Before anyone gets to be a customer, they need to read or listen some customer service horror stories
I always say that the world would be a lot better if people would work a month in retail, a month in fastfood and a month in costumer service
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I refuse to dine with anyone who is not polite to wait staff or counter workers. Those jobs are hard enough without having to put up with overly demanding customers.
I never worked in any customer service establishment but I'm always nice to the workers, I have no reason not to be unless they treat me badly.. Or ok, I'm always nice and polite even if they treat me badly, I don't know their story and they aren't my friends. They might have a reason behind rudeness: something going on in life, bad boss, being stressed, had to deal with a bad customer before me, or just having a bad day. I don't understand how you can't be anything but polite to people helping you, even if you pay them to help.
I worked in fast food for 14 years, from the day I turned 14 all the way through grad school. I tend to do a lot of the things I see on this list for service jobs because I know what it feels like to be in that position. However, there are times I actually feel angrier when they mess up than if I was just a regular customer exactly because I worked there and know what the issues are- not paying attention, manager isn't making sure the crew are making the sandwiches right, too busy talking or not managing the shift properly, serving old product, etc. I know how to fix it and I get mad when I see them not doing it. Every single time I go to my local store they make my sandwich wrong. I don't outwardly get angry or yell but inside I'm fuming. I just want to go back there and manage them!
8 years delivering pizza. I always tip $5 or at least 25%, whichever is higher. I can also balance anything on my right hand.
I like to make shop assistants smile and laugh. If it's someone new I tell them they'll be right, when I come back next time they'll have it down pat.
This 100% I think everyone should work a customer service job at some point in their lives. It seriously gives some perspective… (and a little bit of trauma but that’s not important)
I worked fast food at an amusement park. One of the most important lessons I learned was that even “fast” food can only be cooked so fast if you don’t want it angrily returned to you. I try very hard to be patient, and to speak clearly when I order, but occasionally I’ve seen things that need to be brought up. Recently I was in a quick sandwich shop with an elderly couple ahead of me. The sandwich maker was wonderfully patient with the couple and that was nice to see. On the other hand, I was between shifts at two different buildings and running behind and hadn’t really had time to eat. When I pulled up to the building, there had been one person outside on a break. Understandable. There were also two more employees chatting in the not-so-back actively avoiding eye contact. I waited about 10-15 minutes before anyone offered to help me, and that was the young lady who had been outside on her break. I complemented her and her coworker, but I might not be back there for some time.
I do the same. The workers will never have the power you require of them so don't bother being mean. I mean you shouldn't be mean in general but this is especially true here
You are one the very best. Please go home and shrug it off. Sit down with a bowl of soup and chill. Thank you for being so wonderful.
My parents are verbally abusive, that's why i try to be as nice as possible with everyone, especially those who work at front. But on the internet i could be the worst human being you can see.
I clean up my goddamned food after I'm done watching a movie.
Former Movie theater worker here--can confirm there are teenage kids who have to go through and pick up your drinks and sweep up your popcorn and whatever else you leave. If it's a busy time and they only have 5 minutes, it gets swept under the seat. Crazy to me how much people will leave behind when they're in the dark and have no accountability when they would never do that in a well lit space.
I used to work in customer service, so I'm always kind and patient with customer service personnel. Even the ones at the DMV. If you're nice to them, most of the time they'll be nice to you!
It just makes everything, even a problem, go so much more smoothly.
It wasn't a s****y job but I raised my three-year-old daughter by myself for four years. As a 70's guy, I learned to cook good foods, clean a house correctly, buy children's sizes and even braid hair.
I also can appreciate how hard it is to be a single mom...
Not that I ever did this, but after working in a grocery store, I'm always extra diligent in returning the shopping carts to the correct place.
Delivery driver. I now make sure that my house number is clearly legible from the street.
I used to deliver pizzas. I can't tell you how bad it sucks to deliver a pizza to a huge house to a well off family in either 100 degrees in a car with no AC or in the pouring rain (summer job) and then get a 50cent tip. So now I always try to round the bill up to the next 5 or 10 dollars when I order delivery.
I used to work as a dishwasher in a restaurant, so now I always check what time a place closes before going in to eat. If it's less then say, 30 minutes, I find another place.
I worked at a Wendy's for 3 years, now whenever I go through a drive-thru I always ask how the employee's doing. It always threw me for a loop when someone would ask how my night was going, it was so rare but it pumped me up for the rest of my shift every time.
When I'm out drinking, I always take the empty glasses and bottles on mine and surrounding tables, up to the bar. Once a bartender, always a bartender.
Yes. I do it too on the rare occasion I can't get a seat at the bar. I was a bartender too and that little bit is so helpful sometimes and always extremely appreciated; it's like an extra tip
Every time I leave a hotel, I strip the beds, fold the toilet paper into a triangle, put the used towels into a pile, and leave a tip for the maid because I used to be a maid and I know how much it sucks.
Used to wait tables. Parents would bring in kids 3 and under, and 8 out of 10 times the floor would be a mess. I totally get that kids are messy, I see no issue there, but just leaving it? For me to clean up?! After asking for 87 napkins?!
When I go to restaurants with my kids, I get on my hands and knees and clean that s**t up. Usually am asked not to, but I don't care. MY kid did that. If I ever do give in and not clean it up, server gets a greater tip.
My best friend does the same thing and we were both waitresses. I don't have kids but I make sure to keep the area clean
Well, obviously I tip since I worked jobs that depended on tips: valet, bellhop.
But I often find myself trying to be organized and punctual in ordering at a restaurant, even though I never worked waitstaff. Like, know what I'm going to order before the waiter shows up, including sides and dressing.
Note to restaurants: list the dressings for salads in the menu and we'll all order more quickly if we don't make the waitstaff names salad dressings for EVERY SINGLE patron. Ditto beers on tap.
I still do serve, and no matter how awful the food is I would never take it out on the server. I also make sure that if I need something I ask everyone at the table what they need too, so we can ask all at once so the server doesn't have to make 15 trips.
If there's a URL for a survey on my receipt, I try to make sure I catch the name of the person serving me at the counter. When I worked retail, we got $10 anytime someone mentioned us by name in an online survey.
hmm, never noticed that was a thing. kinda want to try it now, guess i’ll just look closer at the receipts whenever we go out
If I get good customer service, I ask for a manager to tell them what a good job the employee did for me. I even ask to be transferred when dealing over the phone with customer service agents to their manager.
I had one person do that for me when I helped them when I worked in a call center. While it didn't give me a raise, it gave me a name in the faceless floor of 200 or so that I was working on.
Made me feel like I actual helped someone instead of just being a punching bag for them.
Compliments are nice But tldr: talk is cheap so put it in writing. I suggest not asking to talk to the manager. Instead, ask for their email and send the compliment via email. An email compliment can be added to an employee file and be used as evidence when pushing upper management to give that employee a raise. Also, front line managers are usually very busy and having to drop everything to go talk to a customer who wants to see the manager (even for a compliment) is annoying. It is better to email.
At restaurants, I always help stack the dishes with all the food on the top plate. Washing dishes is not fun.
My mom just taught me to place my plate near the edge with my utensils placed neatly next to each other and that's supposed to signify you're finished. I'm not sure that message gets across at a casual, family restaurant.
I used to be a server. Now I look them in the eyes, say thank you, and tip well.
And, as with all workers who deal with you in public, if they have a name tag or tell you their name refer to them by it.
After working 3 years in a grocery store, I bag my own groceries.
I used to work movie theater concessions.
I no longer buy food from the movie theaters.
I now always have my money ready for my cashier before the cashier announces my total. They (at least where I work) try to go fast and it's an odd pace to maintain.
I do this, too. I had an old boyfriend who would wait for the announced total then verrrrrryyyyyy slowwwlllllyyy would take out his wallet, thumb through his cash and lay his money down. That behavior was so self-absorbed and rude to the cashier and those behind us in line, so I changed my behavior to have my payment ready to go.
Drama teacher, kids aged 4-16.
I'm considering tying my pipes and am determined never to have my own, because of the kids I've encountered, but mostly due to the parents, who will often offload onto me while I'm waiting for them to get their coats.
Turns out one of the boys doesn't know his *real* Dad works at his mums office. Oh, and the mother of triplets still cries because she never wanted more than one, now she has four (including their brother). Can't. Deal.
Maybe they see you as a trusted source to confide in. I've gone through a lot as a teacher, but I'm also a parent. I've been told WAY tmi at times, but I see it as a sign of trust.
I work in retail, stockin' shelves and helping customers. I have learned that just because they have a badge they do not know *everything* about every product in the store, especially stuff outside of their normal section (for example, half of the K-Mart where I work is apparel; I have *no idea* where any specific type of clothing is, and if you ask me I'll point in the general direction and say "that way"). Also, unless the store is brilliantly organized with its extra stock, checking 'out the back' for something is really annoying and time consuming and the marjority of the time if it's not on the shelf there's none out the back (at least where I work; we're pretty good with keepin' our shelves stocked). So now I'm always super polite (which I was beforehand anyway), if I ask someone where something is and they're not sure because they don't work in that section I'll just thank them anyway and keep lookin', and I don't bother asking for them to check out back unless I urgently need it.
TL;DR: Floor-workers in retail stores *do not* have omniscient knowledge of all stock in their store.
In big supermarkets there is no customer service. Big supermarkets are in fact warehouses with self-service, therefore can they be cheaper. People working there, are just filling up the shelves, sometimes they are not even the supermarket's employees, but of the companies whose products they are filling up. If you want customer service, go to your local small grocery store at the corner.
I used to cook chicken wings in a bar. I never send back food unless it's inedible.
Quite a lot of things any decent human being should normally do to begin with...
Yes, it’s sad that this isn’t considered normal yet
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I know call centre has already been mentioned, one thing I do now is praise any agent, any rep who has done their job really well and tell them they are a great person. It's likely there were 10-40 people before me who were verbally abusive or just being yahoo d***s. Sometimes it's those few really nice people that can shine some sunlight on a dark, depreciating, depressing shift. My only exception is telemarketers, usually scammers. I have to draw the line right there.
I over-explain my absences because I worked at a high stress hourly job that micromanaged our time and schedules. I’ve had bosses since tell me “you don’t have to let me know why you’re leaving your desk. Just do it.” I still am paranoid that they’ll think I’m faking it.
I was the receptionist at an animal clinic. After having to answer phones all day, usually a sad/ worried/upset owner on the other end, I stopped answering my phone at home. Texts only. Just totally traumatized by the nonstop "bad news" on the other end. But also, now, any time I go to a medical appointment I get there at least 15 minutes early to help make the receptionist's job easier, and their day go smoother and on time. Now days I don't really see anyone using paper charts like we did but there's still stuff for them to do.
Always tip in cash. It's up to the waiter/waitress if they want to report it. Waiting tables sucks!
When you're calling a customer service center, the rep generally identifies himself by name before saying, "How can I help you?" I always begin by saying, "Hi, ____, how are you today?" A couple minutes of normal human interaction, of recognizing that the rep is a fellow human being and has his own problems, will result in much better service. Customer service reps aren't faceless punching bags, and they're likely underpaid and forced to deal with verbal abuse. Be nice. Be human.
Yes! They have people screaming at them all day (I used to work customer service/telemarketing in my younger days) and somehow people think it's normal to let all their anger they carry out on them. Don't be one of those people. They have very little say in what they can do anyway and are paid almost nothing.
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I go by this motto: if I work ledthere/owned that would i want it happening to me? I'm not religious at all, but I have to admit Catholicism had at least one right thing: treat others like you would want others to treat you. If everyone applied this to their life, things would be much easier, I think.
As someone who writes surveys, I always answer surveys because I know there is some "me" behind a desk somewhere who it really matters to that I took the time to answer the questions. And if the company is any good, they really do care what you put in those surveys.
Ever since I worked at a coffee/donut chain I always make sure I leave the table clean and throw out my trash, and if I need a table wiped down I ask nicely and be patient. They're #1 priority is serving the drive thru, then the customers in line and if they get a break in customers that's when someone can get the time to clean the tables. When people leave them trashed with drinks and food spilt all over it leaves nowhere for the customers to sit. It's not like at a mall where cleaners are assigned to bus the tables.
I always, ALWAYS hand the tip directly to the waitstaff. I've personally seen way to many customers steal the tip.
Quite a lot of things any decent human being should normally do to begin with...
Yes, it’s sad that this isn’t considered normal yet
Load More Replies... I know call centre has already been mentioned, one thing I do now is praise any agent, any rep who has done their job really well and tell them they are a great person. It's likely there were 10-40 people before me who were verbally abusive or just being yahoo d***s. Sometimes it's those few really nice people that can shine some sunlight on a dark, depreciating, depressing shift. My only exception is telemarketers, usually scammers. I have to draw the line right there.
I over-explain my absences because I worked at a high stress hourly job that micromanaged our time and schedules. I’ve had bosses since tell me “you don’t have to let me know why you’re leaving your desk. Just do it.” I still am paranoid that they’ll think I’m faking it.
I was the receptionist at an animal clinic. After having to answer phones all day, usually a sad/ worried/upset owner on the other end, I stopped answering my phone at home. Texts only. Just totally traumatized by the nonstop "bad news" on the other end. But also, now, any time I go to a medical appointment I get there at least 15 minutes early to help make the receptionist's job easier, and their day go smoother and on time. Now days I don't really see anyone using paper charts like we did but there's still stuff for them to do.
Always tip in cash. It's up to the waiter/waitress if they want to report it. Waiting tables sucks!
When you're calling a customer service center, the rep generally identifies himself by name before saying, "How can I help you?" I always begin by saying, "Hi, ____, how are you today?" A couple minutes of normal human interaction, of recognizing that the rep is a fellow human being and has his own problems, will result in much better service. Customer service reps aren't faceless punching bags, and they're likely underpaid and forced to deal with verbal abuse. Be nice. Be human.
Yes! They have people screaming at them all day (I used to work customer service/telemarketing in my younger days) and somehow people think it's normal to let all their anger they carry out on them. Don't be one of those people. They have very little say in what they can do anyway and are paid almost nothing.
Load More Replies... I go by this motto: if I work ledthere/owned that would i want it happening to me? I'm not religious at all, but I have to admit Catholicism had at least one right thing: treat others like you would want others to treat you. If everyone applied this to their life, things would be much easier, I think.
As someone who writes surveys, I always answer surveys because I know there is some "me" behind a desk somewhere who it really matters to that I took the time to answer the questions. And if the company is any good, they really do care what you put in those surveys.
Ever since I worked at a coffee/donut chain I always make sure I leave the table clean and throw out my trash, and if I need a table wiped down I ask nicely and be patient. They're #1 priority is serving the drive thru, then the customers in line and if they get a break in customers that's when someone can get the time to clean the tables. When people leave them trashed with drinks and food spilt all over it leaves nowhere for the customers to sit. It's not like at a mall where cleaners are assigned to bus the tables.
I always, ALWAYS hand the tip directly to the waitstaff. I've personally seen way to many customers steal the tip.
