What should you not do when dealing with an angry customer?
Matthew Cannon
Updated on January 22, 2026
The 8 Worst Ways to Handle Angry Customers
- Getting Defensive. One of the worst ways to calm a frustrated customer down is by trying to explain why something went wrong. ...
- Taking it Too Personally. ...
- Raising Your Voice. ...
- Ignoring Their Concerns. ...
- Showing Lack of Empathy. ...
- Being Slow to Respond. ...
- Acting Aloof. ...
- Not Asking for Feedback.
What should you do when dealing with an angry customer?
How to Deal with Angry Customers
- Remain calm.
- Practice active listening.
- Repeat back what your customers say.
- Thank them for bringing the issue to your attention.
- Explain the steps you'll take to solve the problem.
- Set a time to follow up with them, if needed.
- Be sincere.
- Highlight the case's priority.
What are the 6 steps of dealing with an angry customer?
Six Steps to Having Positive Outcomes with Angry Customers
- Stay in Control of Your Emotions. The natural tendency when someone is venting at you is to adopt a defensive stance and start acting the same in return. ...
- Acknowledge and Empathize. ...
- Really Listen. ...
- Apologize. ...
- Solution Time. ...
- Closeout and Learn.
How do you not take an angry customer?
Stop Taking Complaints Personally
- Don't take it personally: Understand that most angry customers are not angry with you personally, but rather the situation in which they currently find themselves.
- Let them “vent” Sometimes people just need to be heard. ...
- Remain calm. ...
- Apologize and empathize. ...
- Fix it.
How do you handle difficult customers?
10 strategies for dealing with difficult customers
- First and foremost, listen. ...
- Build rapport through empathy. ...
- Lower your voice. ...
- Respond as if all your customers are watching. ...
- Know when to give in. ...
- Stay calm. ...
- Don't take it personally. ...
- Remember that you're interacting with a human.
Dealing with Angry Customers - Abusive Language
How do you respond to a rude customer?
5 Strategies for Handling Rude Customers
- Stay Calm, Don't React. The first thing to do is to remain calm and not respond in kind. ...
- Don't Take It Personally. Why are some customers so rude? ...
- Listen and, If Appropriate, Apologize. Rude customers often need to vent their frustration.
How would you deal with angry or irritated customer?
10 ways to handle angry customers (and make them happy)
- Listen.
- Apologise to difficult customers.
- Handle angry customers by showing empathy.
- Maintain a calm tone of voice.
- Use the customer's name.
- Build and maintain trust.
- Don't take difficult customers personally.
- Handle angry customers using positive language.
What are eight tips in handling difficult customers?
Let's take a look at eight must-know strategies for dealing with difficult customers:
- Set Clear Expectations. ...
- Have Firm Boundaries. ...
- Commit To Professionalism. ...
- Document Everything. ...
- Own Up To Your Mistakes. ...
- Don't Take The Blame When It's Not Warranted. ...
- Escalate The Situation When Necessary.
What do you do when a customer yells at you?
7 Steps For Dealing With Angry Customers
- Remain calm. ...
- Don't take it personally. ...
- Use your best listening skills. ...
- Actively sympathize. ...
- Apologize gracefully. ...
- Find a solution. ...
- Take a few minutes on your own.
How do you deal with a difficult customer interview question and answer?
Below are a few key points to include when describing how you'd deal with a difficult customer, to demonstrate a professional approach.
- Listen carefully to the customer. ...
- Repeat what you've just heard. ...
- Actively sympathize / apologize. ...
- Take responsibility to resolve the issue. ...
- Remain calm and compassionate.
How do you deal with an angry customer interview question?
Tips for Giving the Best Answer
- Listen to the Customer. You can typically tell if someone is angry within the first few seconds of the interaction. ...
- Stay Calm and Present. ...
- Repeat Back What You've Heard. ...
- Avoid Putting the Caller on Hold. ...
- Take Action.
What is your approach to handle rude unhappy or difficult customers?
A good first step is to apologize, even if you don't feel like you have done something wrong. This simple action can help to calm them down so that you can move on to a more productive conversation. An angry customer may raise their voice, but you should keep your voice at a normal level.How do you respond to a customer complaint?
How to Respond to Customer Complaints
- Listen to or read the customer's complaint.
- Take a moment to process the criticism.
- Determine what action you'll take to address the problem.
- Thank the customer for their feedback.
- Apologize and reiterate your understanding of the issue.
What are five ways to diffuse a customers anger?
Here are 10 things you can do to turn the situation around.
- Assume That the Customer Has a Right to Be Angry. Nobody makes mistakes on purpose, but they do happen. ...
- Listen to Emotion without Emotion. ...
- Be Patient. ...
- Speak Softly. ...
- Reiterate. ...
- Own the Problem. ...
- Place the Customer First, Problem Second. ...
- Triage.
How do you handle difficult situations?
How to answer "Tell me how you handled a difficult situation"
- Describe the situation. Explain the "situation" you handled in one or two sentences. ...
- Explain the problem. ...
- Detail the steps you took to rectify the issue. ...
- Describe the results you produced.
What is your weakness best answer?
Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.How do you respond to difficult people at work?
How to answer "Tell me about a time you worked with difficult people"
- Consider an instance in which you experienced a specific challenge with a coworker. ...
- Speak objectively while explaining the premise of the situation. ...
- Reflect on the experience and take ownership of your own actions.
How do you handle pressure?
10 Ways to Show Your Ability to Handle Pressure at Work
- Remain calm, always. ...
- Stay focused on what needs to be accomplished. ...
- Help others to get through their taxing day. ...
- Sidestep the drama and stay positive. ...
- Get help if you need it. ...
- Steer clear of too much caffeine. ...
- Take your breaks. ...
- Utilize your vacation time wisely.
How do you diffuse an angry situation?
So here are some small things you can try to diffuse conflict when someone is angry at you, according to experts.
- Have Open Body Language. ...
- Address The Other Person's Concerns. ...
- Make An Approach, Don't Confront. ...
- Practice Active Listening. ...
- Use "I" Statements. ...
- Use Conflict As A Growth Tool And Own Up To Your Mistakes.