Working in customer service:

How do you cope working customer service?:

1. Master the Art of “Hold Music Zen”

•When a customer is on hold, take that time to channel your inner monk. Meditate to the dulcet tones of your company’s hold music. Breathe in… breathe out… and try not to count how many times you’ve heard the same tune today.

2. Pretend You’re on a Reality Show

•Imagine you’re the star of “Customer Service: Survive and Thrive” and each interaction is a challenge to win immunity. Did you handle Karen’s complaints without rolling your eyes? That’s 10 points toward the grand prize!

3. Use the “Silent Scream” Technique

•When a customer is yelling, mute yourself for a second, silently scream into the void, unmute, and respond in your calmest “customer service voice.” It’s cathartic and keeps the job interesting.

4. Play “Bingo” With Common Phrases

•Create a bingo card with phrases like “It’s not working,” “Let me speak to your manager,” and “I’ve been on hold forever.” Reward yourself when you hit bingo—preferably with chocolate or a dance party in your chair.

5. Pretend You’re a Therapist

•Channel your inner Dr. Phil and mentally narrate: “What I’m hearing is that you’re mad at your router, but it sounds like this goes deeper, Brenda. Tell me about your childhood.”

6. Turn Rants Into Haikus

•While customers vent, mentally craft their complaints into haikus. Example:

Wi-Fi is broken,

Calls drop and I’m frustrated—

Fix it, or else doom.

7. Use Creative Visualization

•When a customer says, “I’ll never shop here again,” picture them stomping away dramatically… straight to the next aisle. Then imagine them sheepishly returning because your store is the only one with the product they need.

8. Invent a Customer Service Persona

•Create an alter ego with an outrageous accent or backstory in your head. Are you Debbie from the Midwest who bakes pies, or Pierre, a French philosopher forced to work in call centers? It makes the job more entertaining (as long as you don’t accidentally use the accent).

9. Talk to Your Plants

•When you’ve survived a tough call, explain the situation to your desk plant. It’s an excellent listener and will never ask for a manager.

10. Schedule Micro Dance Breaks

•After every 10 calls, take 30 seconds to break into your best dance moves. It’s hard to feel stressed when you’re moonwalking in the office.

11. Turn “Thank You for Holding” Into Karaoke

•Practice hitting your notes while saying, “Thank you for holding; we appreciate your patience.” Bonus points if you can say it with a little vibrato or harmony.

12. Reward Yourself With “Pet the Dog” Therapy

•If you work from home, make it a rule to pet your dog, cat, or stuffed animal after every difficult call. If you’re in the office… maybe pet a plant instead.

13. Set a Secret Code Word

•Use a subtle code word with your coworkers for when a customer is really something. Example: “Oh, we have a unicorn on the line.” It adds humor to tough calls and makes venting more fun.

14. Invent a Customer Service Mascot

•Have a tiny desk mascot (a rubber duck, stress ball, or action figure). Consult them for “advice” when things get tense. Bonus points if you give it a dramatic backstory.

15. Celebrate Every Win, No Matter How Small

•Did the customer finally spell their email correctly? Did you avoid accidentally hanging up? That’s a victory! Do a tiny fist pump or reward yourself with a sip of fancy coffee.

Am I kidding? Mostly. Customers are difficult. Working in customer service is like being a human stress ball—everyone squeezes, but no one asks how you’re doing. And honestly? It’s okay to feel annoyed, tired, or like you need to mute yourself to silently scream. You’re not a robot (despite what some customers think). Take a breath, remember you’re awesome, and maybe pet your desk plant. You’re doing great, even if Karen doesn’t think so.