It’s been said that if you’e not cynical or jaded about your job, you just haven't work there long enough. As a relatively younger person amongst the ranks, I often see it in coworkers who have been there longer. My optimism and willingness to go the extra steps often gets perceived not so much with disdain, but a disapproving head shake. It seems my more experienced colleagues have gone down this road before, keen to tamper my enthusiasm with the realities of the real world.
Perhaps they are right, and soon enough I too will collect enough years to become this apathetic. From my perspective right now, however, I think such cynicism is such a terrible way to go about work.
In a customer-facing job, there’s always going to be a certain percentage who are difficult to deal with. I don’t think that should mean we deal with those customers with any less attention and care than the rest. Even if some of them don’t deserve any amount of pleasant treatment, providing good service is still my job. Is it always going to be worth the effort? Probably not, but then again why should I change how I do things just because someone is tough to handle?
They deserve the same treatment as a customer who isn’t as needy.
Mind you this isn’t about immolating myself to keep other warm: outright rudeness will never be tolerated. Though it goes both ways, doesn’t it? I shouldn’t meet rudeness with more of it in return. It accomplishes nothing, only making the situation worse.
I greatly appreciate the guidance and wisdom of my older coworkers. I draw from their well of knowledge daily. However, I highly disagree with their learned cynicism, and I endeavor to not become like that the longer I stay on this job.
Top of the building.