Wow that's a lot of reading. I only made it through about 1/2 because I have to get ready for work, in "customer service." Samburger, you are 100% correct about most people being bastards. Granted I live in the midwest, and what I feel is a hot spot for self centered bastardism, but I'm pretty sure it's nearly as bad everywhere. People in the US are concerned with themselves and money. That's the American way. I'd say 1 in 20 is a decently good ratio for judging how many are self centered, rude, pricks. But probably only 1 in 20 is actually nice and friendly either. And 1/2 are struggling mentally and seem like they must come from inbred stock or something. Those numbers don't leave you with a lot of hope or a good mood when you deal with it every day for hours.

And as for the comments about it being self fulfilling, totally not the case. I used to be a really positive person. This job has made me less in general and made me hate our population in general. Yet I still have fantastic customer service and have been in line for a shift manager position for 2 years now as soon as one of our current ones leave. It's not that people are giving back what they're getting from me. I'm very friendly and helpful to them. It's just that they're d-bags.