Customers from hell - how to stay dude?

[AspiringDude]

I need a little advice here...I work in a callcenter, doing customer service for a major German cable company. Now, anyone who's ever worked with customers knows they can be hell...plus, my so-called superiors (half of which are so blatantly incompetent that I could do their jobs much better if I had any ambition at all) are continuously busting all our collective agates.
On bad days it takes one bad call and I can feel myself go into unDude mode for the rest of the day.

Can you give me any advice how to keep my cool? How to stay calm and mentally limber even when every idiot on the phone and in the office wants a piece of me?

[Rev. PikaSonic]

I'm no expert since I too am attempting to be more Dude when people are busing my friggen agates, but I can tell you what I'm trying to do. In my free time, I try to Dudeitate to get myself centered. Once I'm centered, I may apply Dude-Jitsu if so needed. Of course I'm just doing the Dudeitation right now but I think if you just drop in to see what condition your condition is in, you will be able to be more dude. So far, it's working for me to destress anyway. Good luck dude.

[cckeiser]

http://dudeism.com/tao/?s=aggression&x=31&y=11

2. STYLE
When the Dude is recognized in the World
Undudeness is seen everywhere;
When Pacifism is hidden behind
Aggression will go unchecked.
Am I wrong?
In this way:
Amateurs and Achievers are abstracted from employment;
Complex and Simple are abstracted from getting down to cases;
Toes and crossings are abstracted from lines;
Strikes and gutters are abstracted from lanes;
Reactionaries and Pacifists are abstracted from Our Basic Freedoms;
Ups and downs are abstracted from the cycle.
The Stranger controls without authority,
And teaches without cuss words;
He lets all things take ‘er easy,
Watches the semifinals, but does not interfere,
Drinks sarsaparilla without demanding,
And takes comfort where he can.


Tao Te Ching: 2. Qualities
When Beauty is recognised in the World
Ugliness has been learned;
When Good is recognised in the World
Evil has been learned.
In this way:
Alive and dead are abstracted from growth;
Difficult and easy are abstracted from progress;
Far and near are abstracted from position;
Strong and weak are abstracted from control;
Song and speech are abstracted from harmony;
After and before are abstracted from sequence.
The sage controls without authority,
And teaches without words;
He lets all things rise and fall,
Nurtures, but does not interfere,
Gives without demanding,
And is content.

[AspiringDude]

Would you be so kind and explain this saying? Since English is not my native language, I am having a bit of trouble here...

[meekon5]

As I've said previously. I used to internalise all my stress, but that eventually led to depression and a number of breakdowns.

It's good to let your inner Walter out now and again, it's like a pressure valve release.

[Rev. PikaSonic]

So long as you make sure your inner Dude keeps your inner Walter from flashing a piece out on the lanes.

[Caesar dude]

I work with the public and see them at their very worst.

Just yesterday I had an undude screaming in my face and telling me I was a cunt! He threatened me and my family and even insulted my car!!!

I just smiled...which seemed to wind him up even more...so I smiled even more....he was escorted away foaming at the mouth...

Last evening he had a visit from Norfolk's finest...and today has been given a stern letter from Norfolk County Council...banning him from all their recycling centres!

Sometimes being dude like really is the way to go....

Peace dudes.

[Rev. PikaSonic]

^ Dude-jitsu in action! ^

[Caesar dude]

I know not of this dude-jitsu that you speak...I just know that smiling makes an aggressor even angrier!

Peace.

[AspiringDude]

True...and people out of their minds with anger often defeat themselves...

[Rev. PikaSonic]

Well, Dude-jitsu is explained in a chapter in The Abide Guide and it mentions that the end result is you being Dude and the aggressor gets burned out.

[Caesar dude]

Then I am a Dude-jitsu black belt...without even reading the abide guide....now that's slacking!