You People

Yesterday was my 7th anniversary with The Company.  That makes it, to date, the longest I have been with any single employer.  Of course, at just over 30, that isn't really saying much.

When I first started with The Company, it was a job.  I had been unemployed for a lengthy amount of time and for a few months prior, had been selling computers to businesses as a temporary job (that's a whole other blog post).  I went into The Company with the idea that it would get us by until I could start school and eventually teach (college level ONLY).

In the early days, I remember cringing any time I heard the infamous "You People."  That phrase was normally followed by "messed up my bill," "are lying to me,"or "are the spawn of Satan." At this point, I have heard just about everything, been called just about everything, and have been threatened with just about everything.  There is very little that surprises me.

In those days, being called on of "those people" would set my teeth on edge.  I couldn't understand why I was being berated for something that I didn't do.  I wanted to know why I was bearing the chastisement for errors (either technical or human).

At some point, however, I began to take a different approach.  I learned that for most people, seeing an error is just the straw.  Life has been throwing curve balls left and right and a billing problem or technical issue is just the last thing they need.  The frustration and anger just begin to build to the point where they are unable to contain it any longer.  And then they call us.  They do so without considering the tips for a successful customer service interaction.

But I am a firm believer that I cannot control the world, only my reaction to others in it.  I don't normally get upset by the treatment, I simply endure it.  It comes with the territory when you are one of "those people."

And it is no longer a job.  It is a career.  I love working for The Company (most days).  I love what I do (again, most days).

And, at this point, I am proud to be one of "Those People."