Why Am I Letting it Bother Me?

[MoonCat]

Thanks to everyone for the kind comments and welcoming this newbie. Love the Bingo idea. Might work on this tonight and I will take notes for future griping here. But, I have also talked to some great people. One guy worked on an oil rig. I asked him if he ever watched Black Gold on TruTV. He laughed and said it was nothing like that. Then there was the guy that happened to be a salesman for the company I was empoyed by. He had bought from them and I told him he must have been a good salesman. So its not all bad. I just wish I wouldn't let the bad ones affect me so.

It can take a little time to learn to let it roll off your back. Some calls stick with you because the person is just so nasty, but none of them are worth it--don't let them ruin your day. You have a real job, you work hard at it, and you deserve respect for it.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Hello, fellow call center inmate employee!

One thing I worried about most when I started working where I do was that the really nasty ones would get to me. Interestingly, they usually don't, although I sometimes get flustered if they're yelling or bitching constantly and won't let me get a word in edgewise, or they keep asking "so what are you going to do to make this right?" (Me, personally? Not a damn thing, except to call a team lead for help...lol). Most of the time, as soon as they're off my phone I silently or at least quietly curse them out and then sigh with relief that they're gone. The only time I "worry" is if I have to keep in touch with them because their issue has not been resolved.

I find I get more upset over policies I find stupid, or other people not doing their jobs which causes me to get these ranty jerks calling me in the first place. And yes, every once in a while a caller will say something or other that personally gets to me, but I try to shrug it off. The job is admittedly very stressful but it's a combination of things that bother me and not just the suckiest callers. Hang in there, have fun with your coworkers if you can, and don't forget to share your suckiest calls with us

(By the way, not long ago I heard someone say something rude about our service before they hung up, after being relatively civil on the call itself...in fact, now that I think about it, IIRC they never really did hang up and I had to ask them if there was anyone still on the line...which means they probably realized I heard what they said )

[protege]

Yet..they continue to multiply..which has most sane people, scientist, and pretty much everybody else perplexed.

That's because sane people, scientists, and everybody else...don't reproduce from freaking spores. What can I say, other than we've evolved a bit

[Phantasmagoria]

Every job is a stepping stone towards the next goal. Everything you do at a job is collecting experience, skills, references to enable you to move on to something bigger and better. You obviously already have skills to be able to do this job. I don't think it's something just anyone could do. I know I couldn't!

If you're there, earning money and working hard, you're doing a real job, and a job that many other people couldn't manage (particularly people with no interpersonal skills or brain to mouth filters who can't distinguish between the employee and the company!)

Hang in there! Every idiot you deal with is experience you can use in the future!

[TheSHAD0W]

"Good luck on finding a real job."

Did you realize that's actually a compliment? It implies that the work you're doing is beneath you and that you're capable of much more important things.

[vikingchyk]

As I've said elsewhere on here, those who suggest we need "real jobs" are often the ones appearing to have none themselves!

Absolutely! An ex-friend (EX, specifically because of this incident) was having a strong case of sour grapes, and was insulted by my job seeking advice* and chose to counter it with "at least I didn't settle for government work!!" Ummm, OK. See ya!

* "$750!? I don't think you're supposed to pay headhunters to find you a job, I'm pretty sure reputable ones are paid by the companies looking for people"

[HappyFun Ball]

I have worked at a call center.. I would rather sell my body than do that again.

I don't understand the whole "real job" arguement? How does one define a "real job?".

[shankyknitter]

I ask myself that every day I have to go in. I work in a call center too and I have for the last 6 months. I've been trying everything I can to get out, I've told everyone I'm hunting, I've got my resume up on every job hunt site I can find. This is the first job I found after a year of hunting.

I've had people tell me to find a real job, tell me that if I hadn't dropped out of high school I'd be better off, that I work for a terrible company and should be ashamed to pick up a paycheck from them ect. I'm in debt up to my eyebrows trying to pay off my student loans for the four year private college I graduated from last year. A job in my field would be fantastic thank you.

The people on the other end of the phone have no idea what you go through day to day, no idea what you've had to do to get there, and honestly no right to comment on what you do for your living. Vent here, we understand, go home at the end of the day, cuddle your dogs and vent to them, they love you no matter what.

[Food Lady]

I will say working in a call center is the "real job" I'm supposed to be aspiring for. What would that sucktomer think of me??

[emax4]

If they're that lucky as to have a "real job" themselves, but even go beyond as to pick on those below him or her who they think do not have a real job themselves, think of how sucky their life must be. With their attitude, any friends they have will probably have better jobs than they do, hence their need to feel superior and pick on strangers. Those people have more enemies than friends, most likely.

[sms001]

"Good luck on finding a real job."

"Thank you sir, I'm looking forward to it myself."

or

"Thank you for your kind wishes, they're much appreciated."

In your best, sprightly manner, of course.

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

"Good luck on finding a real job."

Do you get paid? Did you have to fill out a W4 form when you were hired? Do you have taxes withheld? Does this job keep beans on the table? A roof over your head?

Then tell him (mentally of course) to get fucked because you *have* a real job. It may not be the best job, it may not be the job you want...but it's a real job.

[lobo94]

Do you get paid? Did you have to fill out a W4 form when you were hired? Do you have taxes withheld? Does this job keep beans on the table? A roof over your head?

Then tell him (mentally of course) to get fucked because you *have* a real job. It may not be the best job, it may not be the job you want...but it's a real job.

What Mongo said. I've been doing call center work since '94. I have eight plus years at my current gig, and almost as long at the previous job. And it does wear on you, for various reasons. I comfort myself that not all people out there are sucky and/or stupid. Just take it day by day. Don't let the people who have improper relations with their maternal forbears get you down.

You're doing what you have to do.

[CallCenterGirl]

You guys are awesome! I'd like to take time to thank each of you personally but that would take a while. I will say I'm intrigued with the idea of bacon in chocolate chip cookies. Two of my favorites mixed together. Tell me, Mharbourgirl, how did you get the idea to do that?

[mharbourgirl]

You guys are awesome! I'd like to take time to thank each of you personally but that would take a while. I will say I'm intrigued with the idea of bacon in chocolate chip cookies. Two of my favorites mixed together. Tell me, Mharbourgirl, how did you get the idea to do that?

The idea is, sadly, not original with me, thought I would love to take credit for it. I am a lifelong disciple of the Goddess of Smoked Meats, worshipping with the devotees of the Temple of Bacon. I am well-informed as to the uses of that finest of gifts of the Goddess.

Ahem.

Take your favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe (I like the one on the back of the package of chocolate chips). Cut up 6-8 strips of bacon, maple is my favourite, fry them until slightly crispy but not completely crunchy. Drain off the excess grease and let it cool. Mix in with the chocolate chips. Bake as usual. There are quite a few recipes out there, as well.

Happy Nomming and Goddess bless you with all the bacon you could ever wish for!