How Rude!

Greetings Readers!

I recently started a job working in a call center again and one thing that hasn't (and probably won't anytime soon) changed is the manner in which people treat you over the phone. Some call in, ask for what they want and end the call genuine appreciative of the help you've provided. Others rush you to find an answer to their problem. Others still call in with no other purpose than to test your patience and resolve to provide a pleasant customer experience.

What does this have to do with relationships? Plenty! It's all about interaction people. Some people build up to being rude to you due to the stresses placed upon them throughout the course of the day. For example: You've argued with a spouse, the principal asked you to come in because little Johnny or Susie is acting up in school, you're boss (who just got ragged by HIS boss) snaps at you about your poor work performance even though it's unwarranted…all of this builds up inside and if you don't release it someone's in for a BAD experience with you.

On the other hand some people were just born to be difficult, hateful, mean and altogether unkind. For those people there's not much you can do but extend to them the one thing they are not providing to you – Lovingkindness. Because you never really know why someone is being difficult with you, especially over the phone, you must find a way to interact with them in a positive way that will make you feel better about not "going off" on the person and hopefully make the other person realize that the way they are behaving isn't the most pleasant.

Here are a few things I do to maintain my composure when dealing with difficult and rude people:

1. Remember that their negativity is just that – THEIRS! By doing so you allow yourself to stay detached from their negative energy and still have the ability to effectively interact with them if necessary.
   
2. Rude people are still people. As I mentioned above, you can't ever truly know why people behave the way they do. It could be because of how they were brought up, a specific traumatic experience in their lives that has left them angry, etc. We must realize that these people are doing the best with the emotional resources they have available and attempt to make their day a bit brighter.
   
3. Never stoop to their level. By doing so you only add fuel to the fire and make the entire situation more problematic in the process.
   
4. Meditate! Meditation is a great way to cope with stress and will keep you from becoming one of the rude people you don't want to deal with!
   

What ways do you deal with rude people? Share them with us!

Michael

My II Sense