[GardenOfDarwin]

It's worth it, because it helps someone else, and that is always of value. Weigh that against the effort and frustration and you'll probably find that the good feeling of helping someone who otherwise wouldn't have been able to do what they were trying to do beats frustration hands down every time.

We certainly understand your frustration at the way IKEA operates, and that is certainly an issue that you should bring up to management rather than sabotaging business as you say you do. But that has no place here, at this forum.

So...how about we start over and welcome you and your valuable input to our friendly forums? Because we really do value your helpful advice...that's what we're all about.

And that's about all I can say right now.

Susan

[Tigratrus]

I totally agree with Eva.

It's unfortunate, but true, that people will almost always take things personally. It's part of our basic nature to think that everyone is looking at *us*, that people are shaking their finger at what *we* are doing. Saying "please don't take it personally" doesn't work, because people almost always will.

Respect for others.

Personal courtesy.

I firmly believe that they are the first and last line of defense against the dark side of human nature. The ability to smile without it being a bearing of teeth, to say "please" and "thank you" and treat others politely is the primary reason that so many of us can live in such close proximity without killing each other. And that's even more important in the situations when we are feeling angry or frustrated.

It's unfortunate in the extreme that a large percentage of my generation is growing up, not even knowing what courtesy *is* let alone how important it is. And I think everyone here understands how infuriating the sense of entitlement that many people have can be.

IKEA isn't exactly helping itself out by advertising as if it's a customer service focused company while doing everything possible to minimize the interaction between co-workers and customers. It's an awkward situation, and puts many co-workers in a very bad position indeed.

Venting is important too, but there are ways to do so without it making others feel badly about themselves, or feeling that they are being personally attacked or patronized. For example, if I felt the need to do so, I might describe specific events during the day, and why they made my day rough, and what I did to cope, and how it affected my ability to interact with and help others. In particular I would focus on conveying that I'm a human being with thoughts and feelings and try hard to avoid projecting my frustrations on my audience as if *they* were the cause of them.

Anyway, in support of the philosophy above and agreement with Eva's sentiments:

Hi SelfServe413, I'm James (Tigratrus) welcome to IKEAFANS!

How did you learn of our community and what made you decide to join and participate? Why did you decide to work at IKEA and what about your job makes it worthwhile despite the obvious frustrations? Please feel free to share your perspective, keeping in mind that your readers are generally not part of the problem but would likely like to be part of the solution?

James

[GregPhil]

If you pull the wrong color item for rude customers I'd hate to think what might be in the meatballs if you were ever transfered to food service. Seriously.

In the short time that I've visited this site I've found very helpful people that only want to enhance the Ikea experience. I'm not a moderator nor an administrator, so I have no compelling need to be polite and even less of a need to have any future reason to read or believe anything that you have to say. I sure don't know why any more of your comments would be welcomed by anyone.

First there was the thread from the poor guy that wanted to hang his cabinets without a suspension rail and now this.

[Kayla]

gosh gregPhil, i'm hoping that you don't stop coming around though. you're one of our faithful bloggers with so much insight. with 50k members we're bound to have some flare ups. guess it's growing pains. hope all is well.

[GregPhil]

DulcineaK,

I'm not going to stop visiting here or at my wonderful, helpful, Ikea store. In spite of the efforts here to minimize rude comments I have no problem calling out someone who is not on the same program as the rest of us.

I caught the suspension rail thread too late or I'd have directed a few choice words to the installer that had a less than can-do attitude. As a DIYer I'm looking for help, not more obstacles or an attitude.

I'm getting ready to re-post my question about finding anyone who has punched the knockouts in the single Domsjo sink that I have to do in the next day or 2. I got nowhere with it the first post and now I'm wasting my time with something that doesn't help me or anyone else.

[Kayla]

i'll look for your thread. the single is relatively new, might be part of the problem, but torrus and/or chuck prolly know. i'll make it a personal goal to get your questioned answered (just glad to see you're not angry at me, i've got a complex, i admit it )