People Today... Well They Scare Me

reply to post by Illusionsaregrander


I believe so many people feel helpless these days, and sometimes their psychology kicks in and they try to show some control with people who serve them. You see that everywhere in the service industry. I'm sure all of you may have witnessed an angry customer yelling at a waiter/waitress, a retail clerk, etc. I used to have a vending company and sometimes, no matter how outstanding the service was, an overzealous egomaniac would call our office to demand we remove the machine today or it would be pushed outside. It's all a matter of exercising control when they feel helpless.

Sometimes it's better to change the attitude, so as not to let these situations eat you inside. Next time you experience road rage, try not to engage. Just think how that person could be heading home to tell his/her family that he have possibly lost his job, etc. When you change your perspective and don't allow these situations to affect you, it would be a better world for you and those who surround you. Otherwise, it creates a snowball effect, and believe me, either behavior is contagious.


[edit on 13-1-2009 by Exopolitico]

Originally posted by The Savage Khan
"Ma'am if you don't relax, i will tranquilize you."

Yes! Tranq gun for the win!

Originally posted by The Savage Khan
Actually hot pockets sounds nice right now... hope they're in stock....BRB.

Lean Pockets, they taste the same and have a lot less fat.

Originally posted by theendisnear69
What do you guys think? Will we help each other out? Or will we act like we do at the grocery store?

I think things will be much worse (if it comes to that)

remember Katrina?

well, Katrina was a 'test', so to speak... it showed what people are really like (at least in US of A... remember how people acted after tsunami in indonesia? a huge difference!)

and when I think of how many people in US own guns

I think even hollywood didn't make more horrific movie as compared to
what could happen to americans

Originally posted by CVTman
My pet peeve is that I become very difficult when the person in the drive through asks me if I want to 'upsize.' If I wanted to up-size, I would have said so.

This is a corporate problem, not a representative problem. Some MBA in their marketing department said that by asking they'll increase sales because all the customer has to do is agree.

Yeah, its not the poor reps fault. I still waste their time, and leave it to management to figure out that trying to up-sell customers will cost them in some cases. Maybe this practice is worth it overall, but I don't think they have the brains to figure it out even if it wasn't

Originally posted by CVTman
After that, (my girlfriend is punching me the whole time,) I ask them "which one is it that is pictured on the menu?" and tell them "I want that one." (the one I ordered in the first place.)

Please be careful who you embarrass when they're with you. More often than not I don't like to go places with some friends and family because I know they'll make a scene :-/

I don't make a scene. In fact, I'm annoyingly polite. My girlfriend still punches me, though.

[edit on 13-1-2009 by CVTman]

reply to post by theendisnear69


I think we need to focus on ourselves and separate ourselves from the crowd of sheep tards. I think the intelligent and smart people of society will bond together but there will be problems with that as other less enlightened individuals will want to reap the reward of teamwork and will not want to produce the efforts necessary to get those rewards. I work customer service and let me tell ya, GOOD HOLY GOD! are people spastic and dumber than rocks. I like to think of most of them as children in adult bodies since they act that way. You look at the problems in the schools and most of it comes from the parents and their raising. A lot of it is children raising children IMO and yes we have many very intelligent thinking people out there but they don't outweigh the idiots of society. People will bond together and help each other when TSHTF but most of our eroded society of brainwashed sheeple will do as we see in any war and not think before they act. They are not capable of it because of the way they were raised, society and simply because we are lazy and want to do what gives us comfort instead of truth. Truth is almost always painful in this world and they would rather watch tv, eat their mcdonalds and brag about trivial worthless things such as their cars instead of learning something of much more meaning. These are the times we live and its not gonna be fun to watch it all crumble but I will be ready as chance favors the prepared mind. Another good point to make is you think its bad at the store or being customer service. At a moment of life and death or starvation and threat, with what lies ahead we will really see these peoples character come out and I sadly think it will be much worse as they have spent 0 time investing into their own character and reality. Hope I got enough ammo.......

Well I work as a server at a nice little restaurant and generally when I tell people that we are out of a certain wine or fish, they take it in stride and order something else. I will never return rudeness in kind because I believe it best to lead by example; when people are rude to me, I try and be even more pleasant and accommodating than usual, and you know what? It works. Several times I've had people who were being very rude apologize profusely once they'd calmed down a bit, telling me how bad they felt for berating me.

My guess is that most of these people have a person or people who they play off of in their everyday life, someone who is just as discourteous as they, and they are used to acting in such a manner. It is up you to guide them with wisdom and compassion that they may be filled with charity.

I know how you feel but try to keep smiling enjoy your good customers and get rid of the bad ones asap. What I have run into recently is people asking me to "give" them things. Free gas, free liquor, free cigarettes you name it. Some get really irate and pushy. I really thought one guy was going to hit me for a pack of cigarettes and he was a regular always nice but this night he was drunk and high. You just never know when someone's going to go off.

People are easily spoiled. I was too. We moved from the Chicago area to rural isolated south central Colorado. Our closest store is in a town about 10 miles away. This store often runs out of many things especially during tourist season. We all have just gotten use to it and settle for something else and are glad to get that.

All us locals exchange glances when the irate tourist on their stress induced "vacation" starts venting on the grocery clerks. We usually end up in line together and after the offending party leaves we all have a good laugh. We feel really bad for these kinds of people as we patiently endure all the inconveniences of country life. We would not trade places with those angry city types for anything. Imo city dwellers are more angry, inpatient and less forgiving.

If we need special items we have to go to a larger city 70 miles away. We make a good list and realize we will be gone all day. We stock up. I must add at Christmas I found other customers in this larger city being nicer than usual. Some people would just start talking away about the economy and prices. We would exchange knowledge of good sales etc. I saw others using good manners and being friendly for the most part.

Maybe that's because I do shop late for Christmas or maybe it's because this Christmas I refused to go to Wal-mart. Maybe these mega monster Wal-mart type stores is what is making people so angry. Maybe these types of stores are really not as convenient as the advertisers try to make them seem.

You know there have been lazy spoiled people around forever. During the depression they didn't go out and kill everyone instead most self destructed ending up dead, in the poor house, prison or riding the rails.

People today are far more spoiled many have the feeling that life owes them. The more pampered less adaptable people will just self destruct faster. It would be wise to keep a distance from these types. Sit tight until they die off or get rounded up. I don't think it would take long. At first some will be violent blinded by anger these people will act stupid and die or get hauled off. As desperation sets in for others they will become a more docile shell of a person. FEMA camps or prison for everyone who can't deal!

reply to post by Exopolitico


Very well put indeed!
I think we all need to think like this as well and we can change what we have power over, ourselves.

reply to post by theendisnear69


that's exactly why I only worked in retail for about a month-and-a-half. Of course, I worked at American Eagle, at young-adult store during the Christmas season...so, people were very stressed and rude. I am a server, so you would think I would deal with a lot of rude people...but I really have found most people are pretty decent and kind (even if they think that their compliments and kindnesscan pay your bills, which they can't) I don't think you should give up on humanity. I think we, as humans, have been conditioned to focus more on the negative experiences that we have. Negative experiences have shaped many individuals' lives and personalities. But don't let that happen to you; whatever the situation may be. Try to remember that we are living in VERY tumultuous and uncertain times; people are more stressed than they've ever been. No one should be taking their stresses out on you, or any retail person or server or what have you; but it just happens that way sometimes. I believe that people are good deep down. Just try to remember the stresses of this world right now. And besides, my personal motto when dealing with ornery guests is to kill them with kindness. If they are rude to you, be extra nice...It will throw them off at first, and chances are they will come to their senses and calm down. I hope this helps

I know how you feel... I used to manage a jewelry store where we pierced ears. Well it was the day after Christmas and an Asian woman came in to get her 4 year olds ears pierced. The kid was hysterical. She was old enough to understand what was going on and she didn't want her ears pierced. She was thowing a fit in my store, and kicking and screaming when we went near her.

Well... we are not allowed to force a child under any circumstances. It's actually against the law. I polietly told the woman that I was not going to be able to pierce her her daughters ears. I explained why and everything.

The woman had a fit! She started screaming at me saying that the only reason I wouldn't pierce her kids ears was because (and I quote) "because I look funny and talk funny". I had to contain my laughter at this point. finally broke down and said... "No lady.. I won't pierce your kids ears because you ACT funny." I had to have security escort her out.

What are people thinking?!

Originally posted by Solarskye
I see it everyday too. When I'm out driving ninety percent of the people I see that aren't on a cell phone have this look of hate on their faces. When I'm at the grocery store the people seem to wear a frown on their face and hardly look up at you. I just want to shout it out loud to them to practice smiling more it'll make you feel better and look better. But then I'm standing in line at a subway with 4 or 5 people in front of me and more behind me. It's taking awhile and we're all standing there, but everyone's smiling and talking about different things and the madness wasn't there. The workers were joyful and speaking to us and it felt good.

It reminded me that there are bad things and grumpy people all around us but there is also good people who still wave at you, smile and are willing to have a conversation with you. So I'm not giving up on the human race or people in general. It's part of life.

i've noticed this too...but you should try what i like to do. When you're sitting at a red light or something similar, look over at the car next to you and say "smile!" and then give them a big grin and wave. Seems to always make people smile, and maybe it cheers them upa little! As far as not in cars....just smile in general. It helps. People need it. Some people might think you're goofy but I think its worth it!

Originally posted by CVTman
This is a corporate problem, not a representative problem. Some MBA in their marketing department said that by asking they'll increase sales because all the customer has to do is agree.

Yeah, its not the poor reps fault. I still waste their time, and leave it to management to figure out that trying to up-sell customers will cost them in some cases. Maybe this practice is worth it overall, but I don't think they have the brains to figure it out even if it wasn't

Time will tell, hopefully others will join in the efforts in pointing out how counterintuitive the system is.

Originally posted by CVTman
I don't make a scene. In fact, I'm annoyingly polite. My girlfriend still punches me, though.

Good deal, I'm a firm believer in politely challenging thought. Punches of affection, gottit.

reply to post by saint4God


Thanks for the tip!

(your face is a one line post)

To the OP, yes, it's pathetic how people are today. But, think about your average American today. They don't even have a 6th grade education equivalency anymore! Then there is the constant bombardment of "I need" crap from TV. Commercials have fed the "I need it now" message so much into society that people do not have any patience for anything. People have no self control, no care or compassion for others, no respect to privacy, and get angry as a response to any situation that does not meet their limited attention spans. They can't even spell anymore, text speak is the norm. I know I'm not the only one to notice this happening.
There is no accountability anymore, nobody says I'm sorry, thank you or please. I personally have a step daughter, who is a recent high school graduate, that can't even find the cell phone she just had in her hand five minutes ago! She's not retarded, just never taught self worth, or responsibility, or respect. If she loses her phone, no big deal mommy will just buy her another one, pathetic. She has stepped in dog poo twice in one week and gets mad at the dog! I think she should just try looking where she's walking. That's not too much to ask is it?
I drive about 30 miles a day and see nothing but inconsiderate, in a hurry, speeding, road raging people. What's a turn signal? What's a stop sign when there's not a cop sitting right there? I live in Denver and when it snowed yesterday rules of the road became optional to most drivers.
When it comes down to it, our government has dumbed down our children, removed parental responsibilities, accountability, removed controls that were in place for energy, health care, banking, insurance, cable TV, etc. If it really gets worse before it gets better, watch out! I'm middle aged and can not see it getting much better, people just don't care anymore and they like it that way. TV, cheap plastic crap, smokes, easy jobs, alcohol, drugs, music, porn, are all they want and they want it now.

I really like this thread and have something to add.

My 60 year old Mother takes care of her Mentally Disabled Brother. When they go out in Public, you would think people would see the Little old Lady and Disabled Fellow and help them out.. well right, most people do not and in fact, just the opposite, THEY STEAMROLL them, cut them off, let doors slam in their face, make annoyed faces and noises that the old lady and disabled man are holding them up from whatever fire they are trying to get to. I could go on n on, but I know you get the jist, its totally frightening.

Originally posted by Seekingmyself
i've noticed this too...but you should try what i like to do. When you're sitting at a red light or something similar, look over at the car next to you and say "smile!" and then give them a big grin and wave. Seems to always make people smile, and maybe it cheers them upa little! As far as not in cars....just smile in general. It helps. People need it. Some people might think you're goofy but I think its worth it!

Of course it doesn't hurt when it's a cute blond doing the smiling, I'm sure if you were some toothless old hillbilly, this method would not be nearly as effective. I applaud you though for spreading some cheer, and agree fully with returning rudeness with unflappable kindness, after all, you gotta pay it forward, right?

Originally posted by ravenshadow13
Ohh hey, since you work in a supermarket and we're kind of talking about the economy:
I've recently noticed SO MANY parents telling their children "No honey we can't have that" or "Just pick one" or "We can't afford it this week" in the supermarket.

I've never ever ever heard that before the past few months.

I think this must depend on the area you live in, or type of grocery store you're shopping in. To be honest, I've heard this often, for years. I've also learnt not to shop on "welfare wednesday", that's when they get their Govt cheques in Canada, it's busy with shoppers, and these comments will be heard moreso on this day. What gets me is I will overhear a mother telling their young child the fresh strawberries are too expensive, yet it's the same price if not less than that big bag of chips or bottle of Coke they have in their cart. The concern for feeding a nutritious snack over junk food just isn't there in some cases, and this is increasing, from my observations.

The quick prep food is the way it is now, and it's frustrating that not all of us want this food, yet the healthier substitute isn't available or dwindling away. I've been having a difficult time finding bags of carrots. There's an endless sea of those mini carrots, but I don't want them, they're either too dry, or old and slimy. It really isn't that difficult to peel a carrot for gods sake.

To the OP: I can understand your frustration. I've worked with the public and there's just no pleasing some people. This will never change.

all we can do is try and realize some of us are not handling it very well. try not to answer their rudeness in the same manner. somebody has to take a stand.

consider also that there are many who have succombed to the malady that has been given the label PTSD. have a little understanding that they may be riding an emotional roller coaster that has nothing to do with hot pockets and they seem to look for every little excuse to release the anger they can't let go of.

i don't know if this helps any...i just know what i deal with in my own life when it comes to people being rude.

Originally posted by ExquisitExamplE

Originally posted by Seekingmyself
i've noticed this too...but you should try what i like to do. When you're sitting at a red light or something similar, look over at the car next to you and say "smile!" and then give them a big grin and wave. Seems to always make people smile, and maybe it cheers them upa little! As far as not in cars....just smile in general. It helps. People need it. Some people might think you're goofy but I think its worth it!

Of course it doesn't hurt when it's a cute blond doing the smiling, I'm sure if you were some toothless old hillbilly, this method would not be nearly as effective. I applaud you though for spreading some cheer, and agree fully with returning rudeness with nonflappable kindness, after all, you gotta pay it forward, right?

lol. I think it would be just as effective either way... its the idea of just spreading random happiness everywhere. might be a fun experiment to conduct. And yes, paying it forward is something we all should do! but only with kindness. Sometimes it seems as though people are doing the opposite and paying forward the negativity they received. I often wonder what a different world we would live in if each of us possessed a positive attitude and less negativity. But that's the point of paying it forward I think...to show people what being NICE can do. We can only lead by example...

I used to be a dairy department manager at a super-sized Kroger. Some times I wanted to smack the crap out of people for the way they treated me. When something was out of stock I would tell them in a nice way and apologize. It's like they expect perfection. We're not robots, we're humans. I think customers forget that sometimes. They also make messes and don't fix it. From now on when I buy something at a grocery store I pull the next item forward. It only takes a second and it's common courtesy. I know how hard those grocery stockers work because I was one for 10 years....worked my tail off in that cold dairy cooler and stocked more than anyone else in the store.