I have to agree. If someone is really out-of-line please let dispatch know about it. Chances are this is not the first time the jerk has been called in on. Let "your people" handle it with "their people". I'm sure your company has people that handle this kind of thing all the time. No company wants a bad working relationship wether they are the customer or the service provider.

I for one take a very dim view if anyone is abusive to one of our drivers weather it is an outside company or one of our own plants.

Well luckily I only had it happen twice in 3 years time that someone got way out of line and then I just called dispatch and had them handle it. They are still the customer and I know our company doesn't want to lose the account so they can deal with it.

1 of the 2 times we had unloading problems; receiver had forgotten to print out the second part of their order so they left 18 pallets on our trailer stating he hadn't ordered all that crap. Well I can understand maybe 1 pallet but 18? You know they made an error somewhere but this guy was going off on us saying how nothing was his problem. So finally after us staying calm and saying they must have missed something, finally he checked and found out he did miss an order. No apologies from him, no. My husband asked, since we had already been there 3 hours if they could help us out and get unloaded asap since we already had another load assignment and we had to go pick IT up. The guy slammed the door in his face. So then I went in and he came out with a face like he was going to explode. I just smiled at him, stuck out my hand and introduced myself; he was all taken aback by that; he didn't expect that! :lol: He thought I was going to yell at him, I didn't.
Make a long story short, I got out of there in 5 minutes. We just don't know what happened to make these people mad. Although I think it is very unprofessional on their behalf to take out frustrations on others. I don't do it to them.
Mostly when I go in I have a smile on my face and crack a joke and get everything done; it's rare I run into bad people luckily!

Your attitude can make all the difference in the world when it comes to dealing with people. Most situations can be handled without being rude or yelling. That will accomplish nothing. I have found over the years that having a good attitude and being positive with customers will do much more than having a poor attitude. Many times if they have a bad attitude and you walk in with a positive one, theirs will change. It is amazing what a friendly smile can do to change someones attitude without a word being spoken.

With the shippers and consignees, I've found that a few really good jokes go a VERY LONG WAY. While there are quite a number of them that are not receptive to humor, for the rest, it seems to work quite well. And, once they start laughing, it seems to de-fuse the rest. Of course, what works for me won't work for everyone.

Good luck to you.

I guess I'm just lucky ~ I've never had any problems with anyone on the road ... I just put on my southern accent with a smile and everything moves smoothly. 8)

Me neither Rose...I just tip my head to one side, smile & put on my "dumb blonde" look! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Gets 'em every time!!!! LMAO!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I am unfortunately quite masculine looking...I don't have those "cute moments" that so often disarm others during tense moments. Between being addressed as "Sir" and "Buddy", I've pretty much given up on that technique.
Other than that, I've gotten some real "wisdom to work with" here.
Thanks, drivers!
Jewels

don't let that stop you jewels. i have to wear a uniform shirt, one of those gawdawful polo/golf things with no bust darts so it just hangs. yuck. sometimes when they call me by anything other than driver or the co. name i point to my name (so sweetly embroidered on top of the pocket) and say
just make sure you say it with a grin, it disarms them everytime. :P :wink:

:lol: :lol: :lol: 8)

I can't believe you said that!!! :lol: :lol:
I cracked up! Those, however, I do have...so maybe that will help! :lol:

Seriously, though, I needed these reminders. WK, as always, you rock. You're absolutely right about why my "former skills" seem to have disappeared. They're slowly reappearing, now that my driving is getting more reliable. Thanks for saying that.
The poster who came to know why it's so important to NOT "go off" on those at a dock...since we so often will have to deal with them again...Thank you, also, for sharing that. What a lesson that must have been. I appreciate your allowing me to learn from your experience!
I'm about to celebrate my first year. I guess it's time for me get weaned, eh?? :wink:
Thanks, all
Jewels