☕ Still Smiling: What a Life in Customer Service Taught Me
AI Created
Most of my life, I’ve worked in customer service. I started when I was 16, waiting tables at the Diamond Grill. It was supposed to be a weekend job, but we lived 30 miles away in Baynes Lake, so I had to stay with my friends Pat and Dave just to make it work.
Before long, I’d quit school and was working full time—coffee in one hand, plate of chips and gravy in the other.
🧒 The Kids in the Booths
We had our regulars, sure, but I’ll never forget the lunch crowd—the high school kids who piled into those tiny booths, cramming in six or seven deep like clowns in a car. They’d order fries and gravy and laugh their way through lunch while I dodged elbows and carried mugs of coffee like my life depended on it.
Those same kids?
They’re celebrating their 50-year high school graduation this weekend.
Fifty years. Let that sink in.
And I’m still here, thinking about how I used to serve them without being noticed. I was just “the waitress.” Back then, I felt invisible. Now I realize I was part of the memory.
🌙 The Night Shift & Bar Drunks
Working the night shift had its moments—mostly bar drunks who slurred their orders and tried to flirt with the jukebox. But honestly? They weren’t rude. Just sloppy. It’s funny, I don’t remember too many mean people back then. Maybe I blocked ‘em out. Or maybe folks just hadn’t forgotten how to act right yet.
🚘 Car Rentals & Losing My Cool (Just Once… Okay, Maybe Twice)
I’ve had a couple jobs that weren’t customer service, but for the most part, I’ve spent my life behind a counter—most recently at a car rental place. And let me tell you, that’s where I really learned the art of keeping my mouth shut.
Except, of course, for the times I didn’t.
There was this one day—whew. We were short-staffed, the wash bay was a mess, and I was the only one left at the counter. Three separate lines of customers, all staring at me like I was the reason their flights were late and their pants were wrinkled. My coworker had to run out to grab keys because, lucky me, we had cars to rent but no keys on hand.
So there I was—smiling, sweating, and doing my best. One customer at a time.
Now picture this: folks had already stood in line for over an hour. When they finally got up to me, I had to do their paperwork and then tell them they’d need to wait a little longer to get their car. Not a fun conversation. Honestly, if I were in their shoes, I’d be frustrated too. But there’s frustrated, and then there’s entitled.
Enter Mr. Emerald Line.
This guy had a membership that was supposed to give him “faster service,” and he figured that meant he could just bulldoze his way past everyone else. The look on his face said, “Do you know who I am?” And I’ll tell you right now: I did not care.
I lost it.
Right there, in front of everyone, I told him I was doing the best I could and to give me a break. Loud enough that even the people in the back heard me. Then I finished helping my current customer and took Mr. Emerald next—just to get him out of everyone’s way.
And here’s the thing...
People clapped.
Okay, not literally, but close. As I kept working through the line, several folks leaned in and said, “He was a real jerk. You handled it like a champ.” One guy even said, “That man’s lucky you didn’t throw a stapler.”
And I smiled. Because for every one of those guys, there are two or three people who make your day.
🍯 Honey or Vinegar—Your Choice
People say the customer is always right, but let me tell you—being right doesn’t give you permission to be a jackass.
I’ve always been more willing to go the extra mile for someone who’s kind. You show me a little patience, a little understanding, and I’ll bend over backwards to make things right.
But if you come at me yelling and stomping like a toddler who missed nap time? Nope. I’m suddenly out of solutions. Weird how that works.
You get more flies with honey than vinegar. And from this side of the counter, I can tell you that is 100% true.
👟 Walk a Mile (Preferably Not in High Heels)
I get it. You’ve been on a plane for hours, you waited for luggage, and now you’re in line again, just to be told your car’s not ready. That stinks.
But do you really think the woman behind the counter is messing with you on purpose?
Same thing at a restaurant. Your burger's cold? Fine. But chances are the server didn’t cook it. They’re just the poor soul delivering the bad news.
A little kindness goes a long way—for them and for you.