It seems that there are quite a lot of folks out there in the world who like to hide behind their phones and their titles and use the customer / service relationship as an opportunity to take out, display and put to use their various cruel, demanding and otherwise crummy traits on folks who are paid to take it (supposedly). The only possible thought processes that could occur to these folks are: A.) This person is here for me to abuse and they have to take it; or B.) NO THOUGHT - these people are simply NOT thinking and are allowing their more base emotions to take over. After careful reflection, I would like to offer this simple suggestion to anyone reading this, for we all have been guilty in one way or another of the crime of assholism: BE KIND! Unless someone, some specific person has done something to intentionally harm you or stand in the way of your freedom or happiness, angry, rude behavior is intolerable and uncalled for. THIS WILL NOT RESULT IN YOUR GETTING WHAT YOU WANT!. As a general rule, no one enjoys or appreciates being treated poorly and the natural human reaction to this is to respond in an unkind fashion. CONSIDER YOURSELVES WARNED. Whether overtly or covertly, unkind and ugly actions beget unkind and ugly responses. Comments such as "I guess you’ve got to be a fairy to get service here" to your waiter or "Well, FINALLY... I’ve been on hold for 15 minutes. I hope your shuttle is more prompt than your phone service" to your reservationist are not the most effective ways to handle customer frustration. These common customer mistakes can often backfire and result in experiences which are far less satisfying that the initial discomfort.

What causes someone to react this way? I think it stems from fear, powerlessness or a sense of entitlement.

Abusive ranting at a clerk, csr, delivery person, installer, cashier, waiter, salesperson, secretary, concierge, etc. should always result in discontinuation of service to that individual, or at the very least an enforced time out. If a child were to behave in this way this is exactly what wold happen, why should we expect any less from adults? We are all responsible for our own actions and should expect reaping the rewards of the results of our behavior. I often wonder what a person is thinking or expecting when they insult, demean or demoralize someone performing a service for them. There is dignity in all work. ALL WORK and as humans we should expect to be treated accordingly. If we choose to engage others in combative and destructive ways, we should be prepared to accept the fact that we will likely be met with actual rudeness, disgust, stonewalling or perhaps we will simply be ignored. Within reason, adults should expect to treat other adults as adults.

These days, what was once simply deemed politeness, respect, common sense and common courtesy could at times be construed as CLASS WAR. I guess that’s what I’m proposing people. Kill ’em with kindness. A modern class war, and this time it’s gonna be pretty.