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Sunday, March 9, 2008

Politeness, tact, and variations

Sometimes there's no other way to say it: "Sir/Ma'am, you're an idiot."
Being alone in the office today, I'm left to fend for myself against the various residents here at work. I don't think I could be intentionally impolite if I tried, but sometimes in the aftermath of a conversation (even if it's one-sided), I can sure think of a few bitchy comebacks. I suppose that one of the main objectives of having patience is to test it. I may be in a different career, but I'm still working with customer service, and the whole "The Customer is Always Right" adage still applies, even if said Customer is dead wrong. Or stupid. My mom always told me that it's OK to be smarter than other people, but it's not okay to go around and inform others of the fact. In that sense, I think I've learned to be patient with other people when questioned. But where is the virtue in being patient and tactful if thirty seconds after they leave you feel like banging our head against a brick wall and possibly developing a drinking problem? Is the virtue in having the strength to not act on those urges? Or in not having them at all?

2 comments:

ha1ku said...

I'd say the virtue is with the former. When you feel the urge to call someone "stupid", etc., just notice how you are feeling and catch yourself. When you feel your patience being tested, try to take a few deep breaths and try to put yourself in the other person's position. Maybe they really need your help.

Ashley said...

You work with people, you will have the urge to kill yourself with strong liquors. The fact that you don't is good enough.