"従業員は「顧客は常に正しい」と言われますが、実際には顧客はたいてい愚か者で意地悪です。"

The core idea here is that while employees are often told to treat customers as if they're always right, reality doesn't always align. The tricky bit is that customers can be difficult, unreasonable, or downright rude. Retail or service desk workers know this all too well. The saying serves as a humorous, albeit blunt reminder that the 'customer is always right' mantra might not hold up when a customer is acting irrationally.

Historically, the phrase 'The customer is always right' was coined by Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridge's department store in London, in the early 20th century. It was meant to encourage exceptional customer service, ensuring that customers felt valued and respected. But over time, employees have realized that adhering to this principle can be challenging, especially when dealing with unreasonable demands or rude behavior.

Take, for instance, a barista working at a busy coffee shop. They deal with countless orders every day. Imagine a customer comes in, yelling about their coffee being too hot or too cold. The barista, trained to ensure customer satisfaction, has to navigate this without losing their cool. They politely remake the drink, though they might be seething inside. The customer leaves happy, but the barista knows that the interaction was far from pleasant.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your life? First, understand that maintaining professionalism doesn't mean you have to accept abuse or mistreatment. It's okay to stand your ground respectfully. Set boundaries. If a customer crosses the line, involve a manager rather than escalating the situation yourself. Remember, your well-being is just as important as providing good service.

Let's imagine you're working at a tech support desk. One day, a customer calls in, frustrated and yelling because their computer isn't working. It's easy to feel defensive, but take a deep breath. Listen to their issue calmly. Sometimes people just want to be heard. Address their problem professionally, but if they start name-calling or being abusive, it's okay to say, "I understand you're upset, but I can't help you if you speak to me like this." If they don't stop, get your supervisor involved.

I remember a job I had at a bookstore. During the holiday rush, a customer came in demanding a book that was out of stock. They were furious, claiming they'd been promised it would be there. I knew we didn't have it and tried to explain. They just kept getting louder. Finally, I apologized for the inconvenience and suggested we order it with expedited shipping. The customer wasn't entirely happy, but it de-escalated the situation. My manager later told me I handled it well and reminded me that sometimes, all you can do is offer a solution and stay calm.

In the end, while it's important to strive for great customer service, remember you're human. Not every customer is reasonable, and that's okay. Protect your mental health, and know it's okay to seek support when dealing with difficult people. After all, no one should have to endure abuse, even in the name of 'the customer is always right'.