best way to deal with rude, disrespectful shippers/receivers

[Zen Road Warrior]

95% of the time, i can laugh off rude, disrespectful, shippers/receivers/guard shack people. it doesn't phase me most of the time and i actually enjoy laughing and smirking at them when they give a major attitude.

but that 5%............anyone have any suggestions as to how to deal with it. walking away would be best i suppose....

just curious how others deal with it........

I'm a newbie and am amazed at the extreme that people are disrespectful and rude towards drivers. a shame really.

[rubberducky]

I feel your pain, I come across it too. In fact guard shack told me to drop my load in a certain spot just last night, right as I get backed in and get ready to dump a very angry bulldozer operator runs up to me and curses me out b/c cause he didn't want it there lol. What I did was ask him to walk with me to the guard shack and him and the guard could discuss it. I dumped while they argued and got the heck out of there lol. I guess I just put on a nice happy face no matter what happens.

[beeiatch]

I just take it with a grain of salt, most likely you will never see then again so let it ride. Be a true professional and give a fake smile and walk away, it's not worth the aggravation.

[Malaki86]

Dunno if it helps the situation, but this will make you feel better: Hit em in the knees with a baseball bat.

[tjv189]

There is really nothing you can do about it, I used to get that from some people at some of the places I would go to and some I could just ignore, but some I couldn't take it from and acctually gave them attitude back. I acctually found that some of the ones I gave attitude to acctually seemed to want to work with me a little more then, but some not. So you really can't do anything about it.

I agree that its a shame people have to be like that to the people that are hauling/bringing in their freight. It is rediculous, because without truck drivers, what would we have in this country? All your favorite stores would be empty. That is why I think truck drivers are severely underpaid as company drivers for all the bull**** they have to put up with......................

[RockyMtnProDriver]

Smile, shake their hand and say thank you.

They will know that you don't mean it.

On the other side of it,

One thing I would say once I was done with them was "It must be awful to be your children".

[wot i life]

Once drove for a huge international comapny(Norfolkline...Can I say their name?... ) and a guy working in the office there was an absolute arse. Typical conversation with him would be like this...
Wot- Hello?
Arse- Driver 658 proceed to Dover, collect box IB727289 blah blah destination Glasgow. Booking time 09:00 do not be late! ....Phone slammed down..
Wot- Hello? Hello? Ignorant bastard!


So anyway, one day phone rings and a right cheery voice at the other end says "Good morning Wot how are you? Can you do me a favour and pick up box blah blah blah ...will you have enough driving time to get there? Blah blah....

Wot replies- "Sure thing mate, I,ll get there in time. Nice talking to you; what a difference between you and that horrible **** Nigel. "






Very long pause





"Ermmmm this is Nigel!"
Wot- "Well you heard it from the horses mouth you obnoxious bastard! We all frigging hate you. Have you ever wondered how any load you send out never arrives on time? Because you,re a grade a 1 cook sucking arsehole!


Oh, and have a nice day Nigel!"

[Zen Road Warrior]

thanks guys, i needed to hear that.

it's good to know i'm not the only one dealing with these....

[inmate1577]

I have only gone off on one. Some mouth-breather security guard at H.E.B in San Antonio. Most of the time I "eat crow" and keep quiet and act the professional that shipper/receiver person....cant. Its not a common occurance but it will happen but dont let your emotions get in way what you have to do which is get your load, and get out and hope you dont have to go back.

Remember these people can make your life a living hell if you piss them off by spouting off. Whats the old saying about "the better part of valor" something like "bend over and smile"

[Stainless]

The best thing you can do is not give them the satisfaction of knowing they managed to p*ss you off. Give em a big smile, wish em well and walk out with your chin up.

[Brown67]

I'm a UPS package driver and whenever someone goes off on me I just say, "well if you don't want your stuff I'll just refuse it and send it back," and turn and start walking out. I've never actually had to refuse anything, because the receiver always runs after me to sign for the stuff. Attitude always turns a 180 when they realize that they'll be responsible for all that stuff being refused. I know you guys can't do that with a fully loaded truck, but it sure is fun to watch someones attitude change so fast.

[Ridge Runner]

In my short time OTR I only had ONE and only ONE place (person) that treated my poorly. She worked the guard house. After I got inside I ask to speak to a supervisor and in a PROFESSIONAL manner advised him of what had occured. I also advised my dispatch of my treatment be her and what I had done in regards to this treatment with the name of the supervisor I spoke with. I can't say it made a difference, BUT, I did my part.


On the flip side I have had so many GOOD times at a p/u or delivery that it out weights the bad 100 to 1. I have been invited to go out to lunch with the crew, or to have them bring something back for me if I refuse the offer to go out. This happened from the mom/pop places to the mega places(Wal-Mart). Where ever you go....People are just that. PEOPLE! They are just trying to earn a living and provide for their family like we are. Be clean, act right, and you will have the time of your life out there if you like meeting new people.

[Bumper]

I do pickup only. So if I get there and they give me the old it hasnt been pulled yet and its going to be 4 hours I tell them I will see them tomorrow.

I call my boss who calls the contractor who calls them and they either get it out now or I come back tomorrow. Either way I get paid for going out there.

Doesnt happen very often though. Most places like having Walmart as a customer, they buy alot and their checks dont bounce......

[BIG JEEP on 44's]

Just keep a pistol tucked in the your waist band , and when the staff gives you "GUFF" just raise your shirt showing off your pistol with a smile... Oh and wear a wife beater and either a red or blue doo rag ...if wearing a blue one it helps to wear a "Remember Tookie" wife beater . :wink:

[PackRatTDI]

I've seen it from both sides of the issue, first as a driver making deliveries for Stevens Transport, and also recieving loads at the Wal-Mart I work at.

As a driver, I don't think I ever dealt with a reciever/shipper that was overly negative, though often it seemed they felt recieving loads was a chore.

And occasionally at the store we get loads delivered by drivers who need a refresher on people skills. :wink:

[Roadhog]

I wanna PLAY too... ..especially since
I have nothing relevant to add to the topic. :?


What I like to do is, hand in my bills and ignore every thing anyone says to me. It's self-explanatory that I am in my "own little world."

Appearance is "everything" !!!... and having breath that would knock a full grown Rhino over too.
I simply talk with my Monkey and say a lot of Garrrrrh, Arrrrrh, and get into arguments a lot
...or laugh in a disgusting manner. This behavior just unnerves the living hell out of people and they want to get me on my way as quickly as possible
....let alone on a hot day...the stench!!

...right...well...I don't drive for any National Companies. Screw Professional protocols. Gaarrrrh! :evil:



This tactic works at most places, but now at Union shops...I simply walk in, step..clunk...step...clunk..step...clunk...
jab my hook into the shoulder of the first shipper/receiver I find, gut him like a fish, and kick his carcass off the dock... right in front of everyone. :evil:

It sends a clear message.
I spin around on my peg leg and say something like ... Garrrh! you there...step lively!...'n put yer bak into it!!!

My monkey then robs all of their lumper fees, watches, gold teeth, bling-bling, and drugs. {monkey has an addiction}
He always takes a sheit on the time clock too. :evil:

actually, the Management Loves us!! This stinkin' Union shop productivity improves dramatically, for the rest of the day.

[Ridge Runner]

I know I'm going to regret this.....but....... It sounds like your monkey needs a good spanking.