NationStates Jolt Archive

So I just noticed this little blurb in the news, off UPI:

Dieter Zapf of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt studied 4,000 volunteers working in a fake call center. Half were allowed to respond in kind to abuse on the other end of the line while the other half had to suck it up, The Telegraph reports.

He found that those able to answer back had a brief increase in heart rate. Those who could not had stress symptoms that lasted much longer.

"Every time a person is forced to repress his true feelings there are negative consequences," Zapf said. "We are all able to rein in our emotions but it becomes difficult to do this over a protracted period."


http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/05/16/scientist_smiling_can_hurt_your_health/2772/

Ignoring the shameful "smiling bad for your health" headline, I liked seeing this article. For all its faults and inconveniences, one thing I love about my current job is that, as a state employee, I'm really under no obligation to regulate my emotions. Not that I'm not polite, but anyone who has ever had a job that *required* politeness in all cases knows how shitty that condition can be. :p

So I ask: do you experience emotional dissonance in your work? If so, how often, and how do you cope with it? Do your experiences agree with the study's findings?

Poll on the way. :)

I see teachers like that all the time.

So I ask: do you experience emotional dissonance in your work? If so, how often, and how do you cope with it? Do your experiences agree with the study's findings?

1) I go to message boards and act like a smart ass.
2) I think that there's a fair amount of truth to it.

So I just noticed this little blurb in the news, off UPI:



http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/05/16/scientist_smiling_can_hurt_your_health/2772/

Ignoring the shameful "smiling bad for your health" headline, I liked seeing this article. For all it's faults and inconveniences, one thing I love about my current job is that, as a state employee, I'm really under no obligation to regulate my emotions. Not that I'm not polite, but anyone who has ever had a job that *required* politeness in all cases knows how shitty that condition can be. :p

So I ask: do you experience emotional dissonance in your work? If so, how often, and how do you cope with it? Do your experiences agree with the study's findings?

Poll on the way. :)

I explain very politely that if they continue to speak to me in such a manner they may have cause to seek out the services of a dentist or reconstructive surgeon.

I am emotionally dissonant all the time. :mad:

I am emotionally dissonant all the time. :mad:

What kind of work do you do?

What kind of work do you do?
I do not work. I slave. :D

I do not work. I slave. :D

Aha. That explains it. :p

I practice emotional transference. That is, I learned to express my anger as laughter. Usually at the expense of the one that angered me. :)

So I ask: do you experience emotional dissonance in your work?
Yep, on pretty much every job I've ever had. "Team player" is a phrase coined in hell, in my opinion.

If so, how often, and how do you cope with it?
Daily, and I coped by being incredibly angry and stressed for 1-2 years (the office "Angry One"), saving as much money as possible, and then quitting and taking long sabbaticals from working for others.

Do your experiences agree with the study's findings?
Yes.

So I ask: do you experience emotional dissonance in your work? If so, how often, and how do you cope with it? Do your experiences agree with the study's findings?

Poll on the way. :)

1: Yes. Being rude to a customer in any way shape or form can get me fired. We're not even allowed to defend ourselves with anything other than "I'm Sorry" and "Would you like me to get a manager". I more or less have to suck the customer's dick, even if the customer IS a dick.

2. I can't according to my managers...I just have to suck it up.

3. Yes

I'm lucky in so far as angry people tend to make me smile naturally. Seriously, just beholding someone who feels their problems are big enough that I should share them tickles me pink. Plus I love arguing, so I am almost excited when someone tries to pick a bone- even if I can't follup through- just knowing that I could destroy them is enough to brighten my day. Difficult customers put me in a good mood.

I, without shame, always use the American Idol analogy with clients, I say you can have Simon Cowell or you can have Paula Abdul, I can be honest with you and say what I think or I can flatter you and do what you want.

They always choose Simon Cowell, and that's what they get.

my god. I work at a hotel. people are lousy whining useless sonsabitches. I constantly have to take complaints, since I'm at the front desk, and I can never do anything about them, because it's always something the housekeepers did wrong or a stupid policy the manager expects his desk workers to smile and convince people makes sense. if I'm told to "use my charm" to convince people his often inane policies are the natural way of doing things one more time...:headbang: a large part of my job description is to provide nice-sounding bullshit to explain why other people didn't do their jobs right. the most obnoxious thing is to sit there and think "wow, you really did get horrible service, I'd bitch too" but have to say only what the manager tells me to say.

weddings are the worst. mothers of brides should be sedated until after the reception, or at least not allowed to speak with people outside the family. they go batshit crazy and take the stress out on everything that moves.

I deal with it by writing sarcastic notes in the desk log that only other clerks see, blogging, and swearing at people after they're out of earshot. while I'm never exactly mean to people, there are some guests I'll bend over backwards for and give discounts to, while others don't get shit from me. it evens out, because the best guests don't ask for much while the worst ones call you every five minutes asking for something random. no I will not bring you a glass of milk, fatass, I'm a receptionist not a slave.

god I can't wait till I graduate and don't have to have a summer job anymore...

I keep my unrestrained emotional responses in check 99% of the time however I do tell it how it is. That may stem from being a boss and not putting up with any crap or just part of my personality. I realized a long time ago that keeping things in and holding back only creates negativity in my own self.

I, without shame, always use the American Idol analogy with clients, I say you can have Simon Cowell or you can have Paula Abdul, I can be honest with you and say what I think or I can flatter you and do what you want.

They always choose Simon Cowell, and that's what they get.

That is a good analogy. I think I am going to use that.

Now, I'd mouth off at the people who piss me off as much as the next guy, except I don't think it's safe to call Dubya or terrorists and swear at them.

no, i pretty much always respond in kind. i take the piss out of my boss, i tell customers where they can stick it. most of the time, sometimes i suck it up but even then i can relieve any tension by fucking with them subtley