So sorry about your buddies, Toby. Unfortunately, common respect and courtesy seems to be going by the wayside more and more often these days.

I wonder how often these guys stop to think how their garbage gets removed, how their products come to them, how their parts for their "toys" get delivered? If all we "blue collar" workers quit working, their world would be a very messy, disgusting place. Too bad they don't appreciate it more often, isn't it?

I don't blame you at all for yelling, either. Hopefully it won't happen again.

Yes Toby. So true. We wear uniforms, and it certainly does something for our appearance. For one, the client doesnt have to ask which carrier we are from, they know the minute we walk in the door (even if the face in the uniform is different). Asnother thing about uniforms is that the DOT knows that we are supposed to be driving our trucks, and its not just a truck we stole from the truck stop minutes earlier...
I agree too about not talking on a cell while at the customers. If someone calls, I always tell them I will call them back.
Where I used to work the Greyhound courier would always come in talking on her bluetooth, and it was totally disconcerting. I didnt like it at all, and therefore I dont do it to my clients.

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I recently heard of a female receiver that asked a driver to please hang up his phone while being checked in (several years of somewhat positive driver/receiver relationship)
he told her you can't tell me what to do! She booted his ### and the load out of her store. She told him she was in charge of the dock and she to could do whatever she wanted.

I feel it all boils down to professionalism and courteous behavior.
You can't control receivers, but you can control how you handle yourself. I recently came across a new, young driver from Pepsi. He says he is sick and tired of smart ### people
on the job. I simply told him to get used to it or find another job.

Thanks for your comments. I don't think they will ever realize it. I go back and forth thinking that if we don't deliver their orders they would have nothing to sell and then they wouldn't be needed. However, if they don't order stuff that needs to be delivered, we wouldn't be needed. HMMMMMM!

I hear you, Toby. We have a company policy against using cell phones while driving. We had one newbie who thought he was above that policy. He would also talk on his phone while at shippers/receivers. They finally got rid of him. His lack of respect for everything was personified in his blatant use of his cell phone. It was no loss to any of us when they let him go. . .

This lack of respect, common courtesy and just plain common sense just drives me crazy. How many times have you been trying to buy something in a store, and been treated as if you were interupting the clerks that are there to help you?

I spent several thousand dollars on a new ATV last year. I had talked to a dealer in town. Got the price, test drive etc. But every time I went into this store, everyone from the owner (who was also the salesman) on down to the parts counter kid, would glare at the customers when they came in. Their "what can I do for YOU" always came out soundling like "what the hell do you want," just because of the look on their face and the tone of their voice. I had dealt with these clowns for years with my motorcycles and other ATVs.

Well, one day I had some time on my hands in another town about forty miles away. I stopped in there to by something, and was greated with a friendly smile. To make a long story short, I ended up buying the ATV from the dealer that was forty miles away, instead of the local dealer. Same price, but totally different attitude. . .

People do not realize that we all need to work together. I need my company, but they need me. My company needs our customers, but our customers also need our company, etc. . .

That is why I like to try to spend at least a little time with the customer. I don't like just to deliver the product and then quickly shoot out of the dock. I think building relationships is just good business. I also agree with what you said about the ATV. I bought two of my bikes from a dealership. The sales guy Tom was always great. The service department was also good until the old manager
left and they got a new one. I would get my bike back sometime in worse shape then when I sent in for regular service. One time I was riding home and I kept hearing a clanking sound when I hit a bump. I got home and found out they hadn't even screwed in the bolt that holds the rear of the seat in place. I also try to keep my bikes spotless. This time it had grease, etc.. all over it.
The guy was rude when I complained and I have never been back. The place I buy at now will even work a better deal for you then the other place. Oh well life goes on.
Take care