The customer is always right. The supervisor at my very first job told me that, and several others have repeated the phrase over the last 20-plus years. My father was the first person to say those words to me, and he does it every time we discuss my job. Well, I've got news for them: They are all wrong!

In many cases, the customer is right. There are almost as many occasions when I know the customer has the wrong information or has read the situation incorrectly, but I know it is my responsibility to help him or her until I make things right. However, when a customer is rude to me, that reduces my interest in helping and it might make me move a little slower while tending to their problem. When a customer is rude AND wrong, concentrating on their "problem" becomes very difficult.

As a newspaper man, I always enjoyed the letters that people sent in to complain about the mistakes in the paper - the ones that proved they weren't exactly perfect themselves. "You all need to pay more atension to what you are doing. Maybe then then you will get somethig right once in while." Well said.

Through the years I have heard some great lines from other people who were convinced that they were right. Thankfully, there is not enough space here to print them all. The language would offend most readers, and the statements would make them wonder, "Why do people have to act that way?" After letting customers have the floor for so long, I have a few things that I would like to say them.

10. Since we both know that you just want something free, take this and go away.

9. Yes, I understand that you are always right; so spare me the details!

8. Just because your mistake got you in trouble with the wife, don't expect me to bail you out!

7. Are you done yet? We have the problem solved; now stop wasting your energy and my time.

6. I'm sorry, sir. Our "Brainless Idiots" help desk is closed for the day.

5. I'm wearing glasses, not hearing aids; so quit your screaming!

4. Anyone who talks the way you do has no business calling me stupid!

3. That's right. We do make mistakes, because we aren't perfect. But I am honored to finally meet someone who is.

2. Maybe if you would open your ears instead of your mouth, you wouldn't be so angry all the time.

1. Why don't you use some of that energy to get in shape!

Although many of these thoughts might change behavior patterns if they were used in an actual conversation, I realize that the chances of me actually speaking that way to a customer are extremely small. As noted in one of the statements, I know I'm not perfect. My first thought when confronted with an angry customer is that either I or someone I work with did something to cause the problem. If it turns out that is not the case, then I know it is important to satisfy the angry person, because two rude people are not likely to solve a problem together.

As I stated earlier, customers are not always right - I can prove it. But would doing that cause people to be more courteous? Hardly. It would just make the conversation last longer, and I don't have time for that.

Learn more about this author, Ryan Gray.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about 10 things you would like to say to a rude customer?
We want to hear your view. Write now!