The different situation is really just maturity level. I don't expect to change your mind or behavior because it's something one (hopefully) develops on it's own. It's really no surprise that if you look at the posts who defend thier actions or those of others are all under age of 23ish. They don't have many real Assets that they have worked for yet, or been responsible for needing a job to actually live. The lack of respect for personal property ( in the case of triple and to a lesser extent led) are understandable given that context. I was the same way when I was their age (I was arrested once it got so bad).

Bragr mentioned he could take it like a man. But he hasn't actually demonstrated that he actully can. I mean a customer who is upset yells at him a bit and he doesn't fix the problem, he passes it off immediatly and his boss rescues him from the bruising of his fragile emotional state (see: my mom never yelled at me?!) and how does he repay his boss? By jepardizing his business with foolishness.
"yea that'll get him" bragr snickers to himself as he sheepishly cowers in the back
So anyway my hope is that with time your opinion will change as you get older and with experience. It might take your Scooters tires being cut because you inadvertantly offended triplebam on the forums. I dunno. Watch out for that guy. He has shifty eyes :)

Yesterday at work Tobey Maguire touched my shoulder.

Ok, now that is an awesome prank.

I can't say that I've really done anything at work to slack off. There might have been some days in which I wasn't as productive as I usually am because of fatigue or something, but I generally take my work as an extension of myself and my capabilities - something I think everyone should do. Even if you don't have the means or responsibility of paying a mortgage, insurance, or bills, I could never see why anyone would represent themselves in any way other than professional when they do something. Nothing bad comes from that ever. Each time you fuck with a customer or push the button just to see what happens, you're taking a risk.

I used to run a photolab myself, and I still do wedding photography. If you think your customers are a pain in the ass, imagine having to deal with a bridezilla in her territory. Regardless of how upset customers can be in the rare occassion, it's bound to happen eventually no mattert what you do or where you work. The best thing you can do is not live in anticipation of this. Once I really changed my attitude from "fuck the mean customers" to "the nice customers make my day" then everything, pride, ownership, responsibility, and the fact that I love my job, takes place.

You have a fair point, though I should point that there really is a rather large [sic] in the middle of the dialogue as the actual conversation went on for at least 10 minutes mostly composed of a rehashing, with synonyms and gradually increasing in decibels, of what he had already said. The only reason I passed it off to my boss was that this guys was upset, wanted to be upset, and nothing I was going to change that. What my boss can say, and I can't, is something like: "Hey! Shut it! Either you pay the price we quoted you and you get your computer back, or you don't. Goodbye." As the owner, he can make decisions about customers like that, which I, the low man on the totem pole cannot.

It was not as if he yelled at me, I cried, gave the phone to my boss and then pulled a prank to make myself feel better. I had no emotional investment into this other than being somewhat annoyed that I had to listen to this guy for 10 minutes.

There is credence to fact that my actions could bring heat back on the business, and I agree that I was somewhat immature, but I did what I did because I believed that it was a fair, “equal and opposite reaction� to his unfounded, 10 minute tirade.

As far as the business though, I would only do something that, if traced back to someone, could only be traced back to me, so that only I would suffer the consequences of my actions. For instance, if someone else had worked on this computer, I would have done nothing.

No seriously, PM me your address, you are my hero.

What a fucking cop-out.

I think if anyone retaliates a shitty customer in any working situation it's because they've taken the professional level out of it and made it a personal situation when often times it's not. The fact that one would make something personal and "show them" because a customer gave them a hard time, annoyed them, or anything of the like would obviously indicate a low level of maturity that I think Giller is getting at but not necessarily in the same fashion I was. I don't think it's an age issue. There are morons in their 40's and 50's who always think its appropriate to backhand the customer for revenge when they aren't looking or in some subtle way. There are people in their 20's that have learned good work ethic and although may not be as age mature as said older workers they have more professional conduct and discipline. Both of these individuals could have similar personal responsibilities they need to work and pay for.

I think what it comes down to is professionalism in itself. Some people learn to act professional because they have personal responsibilities (like Giller says), but I believe the foundation of acting professional comes from separating personal beef and work. Everyone's going to have shitty customers. Everyone is going to get annoyed and take things personally. Everyone also has the power to realize that their reaction determines whether they make it personal or keep it professional - which I feel is not based on age or personal responsibilities.