Hi Friends,

I am a customer service rep for my local utility company. I have spent 8 years in that job. Because I am a people person, I love the job most of the time.

From my perspective, I treat people how I wish to be treated, don't cop an attitude with me or your already off on the wrong foot. Realize that it is my company that makes the policies and not me. Please don't cuss at me, I do not have to listen too that, and will hang up in a New York minute to those that continue to use that kind of language. Men, don't ask to speak to a man that will understand, women, don't put your husband or boyfriend on the phone to try to intimidate me. I will standfast to my company's policies, no matter if a man is put on the phone. I can't be intimidated, in fact it makes me more determined to hold out.

Be pleasant with me, understand if my computer is running slow, or the repairs on your elec is taking longer then expected. Understand if I can't give you a specific time for power restoration, or not tell you how long your power is going to be out, You're my first call!

Every now and then, it is nice to hear that we are doing a nice job, and we explained something to someone that they were able to understand. I will bend over backwards to do anything I can do for you, if you treat me like a human being and not just a servant to do your bidding.

I love my work, meet many wonderful people, and fortunately, have very few incidents when people cuss at me or call me bad names, or give me a hard time. Thank God, the good calls out weigh the bad ones, and I am thankful that I can do something to help someone else.

OH, by the way, if we say that we cannot give out information due to the Privacy Act, please believe us, it could mean our job if we give out information to the wrong person.

Thanks for listening,

Sherri