How do I deal with rude shippers / customers

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Xzay, Sep 5, 2016.

  1. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Xzay, I am an older white guy and cannot POSSIBLY know how it feels to be in your skin. Period.

    You asked how to deal with rude shippers and receivers and in your OP noted that your race may be a factor. I'm certain that it may be. Your age and the fact you work for Swift may also be factors.

    You were asking for advice how to handle these situations. As I noted in my earlier post, the very best path forward is to begin by treating others with respect. If they don't return the favor that's on them.

    One thing I am proud of is that trucking is an opportunity for anyone. When I first started trucking in '77 it was RARE to see a non-white male driving a truck. I got back in trucking a few years ago, and it makes me GLAD to see folks of ALL stripes driving.

    If YOU are subjected to racist treatment I cannot tell you as one human being to another how to deal with it. I abhor it. But, as a fellow professional driver your job is like that Marine mantra, "Overcome. Adapt. Improvise."

    Be professional. Thank them for their business. Move on.
     
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  3. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    How about we throw the race card away?Race or age has absolutely nothing to do with the customer being rude and neither does who the driver drives for.Hell customers don't know what reputations a certain company has they look for the cheapest carrier and I bet Swift has more customers then most.The customer is just plain rude from the time he punches in till it's quitten time And gets worse thruout the day.
     
  4. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    That's not entirely true. Race and age definitely does come into play at times. Ignoring that won't make it go away.
     
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  5. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    He didn't claim racism was the factor. He simply listed it as a possible factor among others. And he's absolutely correct in thinking that it may have been a factor.
     
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  6. Rusty Trawler

    Rusty Trawler Road Train Member

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    You do the same thing you do when every minute counts and the idiot at the Loves takes his 30 at the pump.
    Otherwise, you'll get in 12 fights a week and you're bound to lose some of them.
    If you win, it won't change the ashhat and if you lose, he'll think he was right.
    Just let it go
     
  7. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Yes. That's how the real world works these days. If you want a 'safe space', then go back to your playpen.
     
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  8. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    If that's the case then there's many cust prejudice against white folks and women trk drivers.Some of the guard's with attitudes must have been prejudi e be ause I'm white maybe a lady trk driver or both,got it thanks.
     
  9. Memphis10

    Memphis10 Bobtail Member

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    I am African American as well. Started with swift when I was 21 as well. I'm 32 now. If I had a dime for every time I felt like I've been disrespected I probably could retire lol. Some discrimination may be just because you drive for swift and their reputation for f ups. It also could be your presentation. Your attitude, attire, how u speak to them. Hopefully it's not racism. Next time it happens record it and get it to the proper personnel. Gotta have thick skin out here tho or they'll eat u alive. Fellow drivers included.
     
  10. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Discrimination is alive in all forms. I'm a white male, and I could play the 'race card' as well. There's a lot of 'white privilege' attitude out there these days.

    Why can't we all just get along?
     
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  11. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I have never seen any customers pursay as being prejudice but lumpers most deffinately.
     
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