This is my very first post here, so hey dudes!
I manage a tattoo shop/art studio for a living. It's pretty awesome. So today a guy came in wanting a cover-up done...like now. Unfortunately, man, we're booked up till June! He was a little irritated by that, but I kept my cool; I was trying to be as helpful as I could.
He then becomes dissatisfied with our open hours: "Why are you girls only open 4 days a week? You should be open Monday-Saturday, I mean, come on!".
To which I replied: "Well, man, you gotta have time to live life, too. Life's about more than work."
"Well why can't she [the tattoo artist] fit me in today? What, she only works 5 hours a day?" he said.
"She's working with the same client all day, and they have to take time for a lunch break, stretching breaks, etc. We're booked solid all week, she's not a machine," I reply.
I won't transcribe the entire interaction, but suffice it to say, I was trying my best to be Dudely. I smiled, I joked with him, and I gave him honest answers that weren't reactionary. I just kinda went with it. Figured he'd eventually simmer down and be on his way, perhaps a bit unhappy that he didn't get his cover-up today. BUT! Shame on me for being cynical. Guy noticed some jewelry we have on display, most of which I've made myself. He takes a shine to a lapis lazuli bracelet I crafted, and asks to see it. So I oblige happily, and he instantly decides to buy the bracelet for his Lady Friend! I was so happy, and so pleased that the interaction took this turn. He smiled, told me he'd check his schedule and get back to me later to book an appointment, and went along his merry way.
The point of this rambling story is that today was a good day. I didn't let another's behavior harsh my buzz. By reacting to the situation in a Dudely manner, I felt...well, great. And happy. And maybe by being Dudely, I made someone else's day better, too.
Dealing with reactionary folk, is about diffusion, deflection and not rising to their level. Dealing with that dude in your shop, was dudeism at work mang.
Redirecting their energy and turning it into something positive, or channelling their frustration, by absorbing their verbal tirade while remaining professional, worked out well in the end.
Good work and welcome to the fold, dude.
Thanks, Brother D! 8) It's all a learning experience, and I'm doin' my best. And thank you for the warm welcome, dude.
Welcome! and like Brother D said, Good Job on not letting someone else ruin your Dudeness.
Being Dude is a pretty powerful tool against the reactionaries of the world, they feed of the negativity they create in others and by not sinking to their level we take away all their power!....I really didn't have anything more to add but I'm damn close to 100 posts!
*deleting old posts*
You handled it well man. Running my own business I know that you run in to a lot of asshole s every day. You have to keep your cool. Can't let them ruin your day man.