Dear Fellow Customer Service Peons:

[DMKA]

"Would you like a bag?"
"My wife IS the bag!"

Priceless.

[Pike]

"Would you like a bag?"
"My wife IS the bag!"

Priceless.

I'll admit I laughed the first time I heard it

[Yeargdribble]

I literally could not do any of this. I would be flipping tables left and right out of anger and frustration. I try to deal with as few people as possible and, luckily, most of those I do deal with are peers who aren't idiots.

The bassist for my band does most of the talking and booking (though the sax player technically books the most gigs). I'm glad he's smooth with the handful of ignorant people we have to deal with for things like weddings. Worst case scenario is that they make half a dozen special requests for the reception 1 week before the gig when they've had us booked for several months or they request things that are incredibly inappropriate and he has to explain it to them. But this is hardly rage inducing compared to customer service stories I see.

Most of my solo gigging has me working with people who are at least somewhat competent.

As a result of my rage, I deeply empathize with people who work these jobs. I'm exceptionally kind and patient with anyone who works in a service job. I give them the benefit of the doubt as much as possible and if they look like they are in a foul mood I usually assume it's because they dealt with an asshat recently or that they are at the tail end of a ridiculously long shift of dealing with the wretches of this planet.

If they are doing a good job I'll go out of my way to compliment them as much as possible (or tip generously for waitstaff). I always hope that getting at least some positive feedback will help them trudge through their day.

[Peegee]

I've had the very weirdest sages in my life. This one comes from a 17-18 year old girl who was my friend in high school:

Everybody should work service industry. Then you'd know how hard it can be. And always overtip your waiter if you get good service - they need the money.