The holidays are supposed to be cheery and bright. It's a time when we show our love and goodwill toward our friends and family and those with whom we work. But the holidays are also a time of extra hassle in our stressed-out lives. And during these difficult times, financial strain is also added to that holiday plate heaped with a stress.  Unfortunately, that can cause the heaped plate to spill over, dumping some of it on those around us.
 
Often, the people who get dumped on during the holidays are the employees who deal with the public. We hear a lot about "customer service" these days but what about how we act as customers?
 
Sales associates in retail stores, waitresses and waiters in restaurants, delivery personnel, cab drivers...they are often on the receiving end of our worn out tempers and frayed nerves. And their managers feel the pressure too. Just the other day I heard a manager say to a retail clerk, "Why did you page me for this? Can't you see I have more important things to do?"
 
Demanding, insulting and unreasonable customers (and managers) ruin the spirit of the season for everyone within earshot. They fail to recognize that everyone is just as busy as they are and trying to do the best they can.
 
Think about all the people who wait on you, assist you at work, clean your office for you, deliver things to you and treat you like a valued customer--including people in other departments who meet your needs every day. This year, why not make the holidays a little merrier for everyone who serves you? Not only will you make their spirits brighter, it will have a remarkably soothing affect on your stress level, too.
 
·       Take an extra minute or two to be polite and friendly. When you are, service personnel are surprised, which tells you how few people actually make the effort. Common courtesy isn't so common anymore.
·       Express some empathy for a stressed out server. It will lighten the mood and calm everyone down. When I used to wait on tables I remember how much I treasured the customers who recognized how swamped I was. No matter how busy I was, I always gave them a little extra service for their kindness.
·       Say thank you. It seems so simple, yet too few people take the time to say it. Instead, many customers expect service personnel to jump through hoops and walk on burning coals without a thank you. Just because "customer is king" doesn't mean we should treat those who wait on us like lowly servants.
·       If someone does an extraordinary job, take the time to mention it to their manager or better yet, write a note. Most managers put notes and letters in the employee's file to document performance reviews and salary increases.
·       Put yourself in their shoes--imagine if you had to wait on people all day long. It will give you a new perspective and a more tolerant attitude.
·       If you aren't satisfied with a purchase or service, communicate your needs respectfully. Chances are, they will go the extra mile to win back your business. Treat those who serve you as if they were your neighbor down the street--because they are.
 
In general, employees who work with the public enjoy their jobs and get satisfaction from meeting the needs of their customers. But that satisfaction can squashed by one rude, insulting customer.
 
This year why not approach the holidays a little differently? Spread the spirit of kindness and good cheer wherever you go...the more you give to others the brighter your holidays will be.
 
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