Customer Power

[Hoppy]

I was reading through this article and it really hits home. So often, when out and about people are just plain rude. This just happened to my husband and I the other night when we went out to dinner. We were seated and then ignored until I finally spoke up. I was fine with it as we had no children with us and had brought a drink with us from the bar when seated. But, if we had our children with us, my emotions would have been through the roof. How can we deal with them?

http://www.kidpower.org/ARTICLES/customer-power.html

[Chocko]

Great article, with great responses for everyday situations!

[KIDPOWER]

When someone serving you is is rude and you are with your children, it' normal to feel like exploding. But this is a wonderful opportunity to model for your children how to deal with rude people by speaking up calmly and firmly, being willing to leave if need be, being persistent in getting help by going up the chain of command, etc. Teens will often be uncomfortable with their parents doing anything that looks like you are making a fuss, no matter how well you do it - but they will still benefit from the example. Young people will be safer as they become independent if they know that they do not have to be victimized or act like bullies themselves when confronted with rudeness. On a related topic, I am working on an article called Overcoming Bureaucratic Bullying, which is about dealing with what one might call "faceless systems" such as the telephone company, the IRS, etc.

[Busty Vixen]

I am working on an article called Overcoming Bureaucratic Bullying, which is about dealing with what one might call "faceless systems" such as the telephone company, the IRS, etc.
Comcast Cable? :paranoid:


:crossfingers:

[KIDPOWER]

There are wonderful people in any large organization, who are very helpful. Personally, I thank them, treasure them, keep their direct contact information in case I need them again, and never take them for granted.

However, often people in very large systems are punished for taking responsibility or initiative or are overwhelmed with too much work to do and competing priorities. It is easy for an individual to get lost or be told that things are impossible or be treated unfairly when the automatic functioning of a large system gets in the way of the rights of the individual.

Of course, this can happen in small systems too, but it is much easier to figure out who is in change of a smaller system.