How do I deal with rude shippers / customers

Speaking for myself only, I did nothing of the sort to warrant the rude treatment. Like I said, I can handle that as long as they load/unload in a timely manner. Regarding the driver who urinated by the dock. There are many shippers/receivers who refuse to let drivers use their restroom. Somebody posted a story here about a driver who absolutely had to make a number two and the warehouse person refused to let him use the men's room.

So he went and dropped trousers by his tandem wheels. They caught him and the poor guy got fired by his company. But it makes me smile thinking the warehouse staff had to clean up his stool. Serves them right, LMAO.

 

Tiny Tim,

I see what you're saying. Fair point. But for all the problems trucking has, I've honestly NEVER seen race as one of them. I've seen literally everything else, but not one time I have I seen anything racist. There's just too much diversity. In fact, my experience has been its the one area in life where race doesn't play a role.

As far as the receivers being rude to him and not the other drivers that's simple- they don't know him yet. Receivers haze new drivers. I have receivers now that treat me like gold (while simultaneously treating drivers they're seeing for the 1st time like crap) but until they got to know me I used to dread going there. They would put me thru the ringers. Now they get me out before anybody else.

We'll agree to disagree, but you're right, I can't absolutely say race has nothing to do with it.

 

I think trucking is about as good as it gets as far as both race and gender discrimination goes. But it does exist, I've seen it.

If it's happening to the same person frequently there is definitely more at play though.

 

Don't take it personally. What you are seeing is an expression of that person and the mind they have to live with every day. Be grateful that you don't have to live with that mind.

Keep your own mind clear and happy, it's the only one in the world you have control over. And you have to live with it.

 

Im always as polite as possible to them, until they throw attitude or blatantly talk crap so I can hear. Then my evil side comes out and I do the old, "are you talking to me" with a loud tone and crazy white boy eyes. If it still escalates I promptly finish what I need to and go back to the truck and take a nice long nap in their dock. They can come get me when ready, I sleep through their green light.

Suprisingly you get a few guys that will load you and come out with a completely different attitude or even apologize and tell me it's been a long day. Hey its cool, we all have them , no worries man.

 

Smile. Thank them for their assistance and walk away. Your attitude will help change theirs.

You can't control how people act, you can only control how YOU respond to it. Be consistent in your words and attitude, be known for that and you will see how quickly people respond in kind.

Best wishes!

 

Has nothing to do with race? What are you people on? The freight industry is MASSIVELY racist. Both truckers and shippers alike. I deal with one unloader that blames all Punjabi people for all his problems, regardless if they did something to him or not... and he has a very... colourful name for them.

TC, be a professional. It's your job to deal with them, so just let it go in one ear and out the other.

 

Truth! I have an unload tomorrow at Stop and Shop in MA. I'm not looking forward to it.

My tactic:

 

It will be a few weeks yet before south sees the icing and snow.

Shippers and Receivers show discrimination sometimes. IF it is directed at me personally, they have a recommendation that we do not go there and colect any more loads anytime soon if ever.

Company drivers can always refuse to go a particularly known place. Once. There will be someone waiting after passing last week's orientation ready to take your truck.

If you are doing well, try and make changes by having dispatch send you somewhere ELSE in the USA. They have a stack of papers ready to go with trailers everyone which need repowring. Puting tam on thtailer is motivating.

 

What did the security guard say to make you slap him?That may be grounds for banning you from their property for good.Yes their are many rude shippers and receivers ita all part of this industry and you learn to deal with it.If you get a mouthty guard or the customer,you do not take matters into your own hands,you call your company and that may be in your policy handbook.