I am SO SICK of Rude Box Office People...

[CattleCall]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 4:23pm

Last week I ordered tickets over the phone for Gaslight at the Irish Repertory Theater. After putting the wrong date on my calendar for it (my fault, I know), I just called the box office to check and see what date my tickets were for, and was met with the most unnecessary and rudest response from the person who answered the phone.

When I asked him the question, he nastily told me that if I had purchased the tickets with a credit card that that should be confirmation enough, and then abruptly put me on hold for two minutes. When he came back, in the rudest and most condescending manner, he said to me, "WRITE THIS DOWN. The tickets are for...." And then he hung up the phone on me!

I fully take resonsibility for not putting the right date in my calendar, but when I'm giving my money to a theater, I expect not to be yelled at over the phone for asking a simple question. I am SO SICK of rude service people!!!!

Sorry, just had to vent.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 4:28pm

Yeah def the wrong attitude and there is no excuse for rudeness EVER. You should call the place back and talk to the Box Office manager.

On the other hand, give the guy a break. If you've never worked in a box office (with lots of old subscribers), it's impossible to realize just how trying that job can be. The public is very damanding and it's made me realize that people are stupid. I've never worked in one, but I have a friend who has (he's lurking around here somewhere). I've sat in a booth with him while he sold tickets, fielded calls, and dealt with pick ups. BUSTED. Seriously people are foolish. So it's easy to get annoyed. He could have been dealing with super-idiots that day and took it out on you. Not Ok, but just cut him a little slack.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 4:37pm

^ True, but there's no excuse for taking out your anger on another person.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 4:47pm

I've told this story before but one time we tried getting half-price tickets to Sly Fox (I'm a huge Rachel York fan so she's the main reason why I wanted to see it. Ended up seeing her in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels but that's another story). They didn't have them so it was either Little Shop or Caroline or Change. And I was really weighing the possibilities and this guy was literally banging on the window to get me to hurry the hell up. I eventually settled for Caroline (and loved it) but that was ridiculous. It was like I was being held at gunpoint. It was like a Tweek moment.

"Oh, Jesus, it's too much pressure!!!!"

"Calm down, Tweek, have some coffee."

[mightydog]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 4:58pm

I had a situation not too long ago that was completely my own darn fault. I mistakenly ordered a pair of tickets to attend Blackbird on two separate days. When I called the box office to ask if there was anyway I could return one pair of tickets (I know I know "all sales final") the baox office person said absolutely not. I then politely asked if I might speak to the manager. When the manager took my call I explained the situation and hoped thhat given the fact that the remaining shows were nearly sold out that there might be some chance that she would use her discretion and help me out. To my surprise she saiid that it was in her discretion and that she didn't feel like exercising it! I was stupified, speechless, dumbfounded.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:04pm

The last time I asked to speak to the Box Office manager the rude person selling tickets shouted "I AM THE BOX OFFICE MANAGER!".

I was so stunned I could only laugh and ask..."Do you need a hug?"

[Kalimba]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:14pm

Don't even get me started about the guy at the Booth Theatre box office.

[raphael06]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:20pm

I dealt with a total grouch at the box office of the Marquis when I was purchasing Drowsy tickets. I sympathized and could tell he was sick of dealing with tourists but still...

[lildogs]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:24pm

As a receptionist onist, I get ALOT of idiotic calls and it's easy to get frustrated when you have people who call you asking for a number and then make you wait until they find a pen.

Or those who expect you to predict the future

Or those who lke to complain to me for things completely beyond my control

So, yeah, there's no need to be rude, but sometimes it just slips out.

And then of course, there's lots of a$$hole receptionists too!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 5:29pm

As a representitive of "box office people" everywhere, I can tell you that I share your frustration. Luckily, I work with the best - so we only have to deal with you patrons.

I AM SO SICK OF YOU RUDE BOX OFFICE CUSTOMERS!

Today I was on the phone with a woman who was yelling at me for her mistake. Comes with the job.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 6:19pm

I also answer phones for a living. Sure, I hate it when people call up asking to speak to someone, then yell at me when that person does not answer their phone, or when people are just shouting information at me faster than I can write it and then audibly sighing when I ask them to repeat it, but it all comes with the territory. I just hang up, make fun of them behind their backs, and start all over with a new caller.

If I'm rude to the wrong person, I lose my job. Simple as that. I have to be super nice to everyone. If I can do it, anyone can do it. This guy (or anyone, for that matter) had no right to be rude to you just because he was annoyed with a previous caller.

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:14pm

I'm playing devil's advocate. How many of us have that job in the BO when the phone rings constantly all day, and many of the calls are about someone who forgot the date, or any one of many calls which could have been avoided, according to the BO people. I'd lose my patience completely also.

It's darn hard to remain polite 24/7. As much as I hate the rudeness, I understand it.

I have some similar situations at my theater job and occasionally I'm a little less friendly!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:55pm

I never worked at a box office, only at a library. But even at the friggin' LIBRARY there are your share of stupid people. I've had the urge to flip out on people so many times just because I had a bad day with patrons.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 7:17am

I have been going to the theater regularly since 1964. I have NEVER had anyone at the box office act rudely to me. NEVER.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 11:02am

They wouldn't dare

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 11:08am

Dolly, I find that hard to believe.

I was treated like absolute dirt at the Hirschfeld box office on Thursday. The man was so rude I almost walked away without buying anything.

[DG]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 11:12am

Dolly - same with me - not once, ever.

I find that in situations where you are dealing with a service provider, a lot depends on how they are approached.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 11:23am

The last time I went to a box office to buy tickets, I stood behind a customer who could not make up her mind about what she wanted - where to sit, how much to pay, which dates. It took 10 full minutes for her to figure all this out, and actually buy tickets. By the time I stepped up to the window, I felt like handing the guy a martini - so I actually said that to him. He cracked up, and by the time I left with my tickets he was smiling again.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 11:55am

I worked at a Children's Theatre Box Office for 3 years. I wouldn't wish that job on anyone.

[sundaymorning6am]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 12:02pm

the old women at the palace are completely rude.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 12:10pm

Most box office people seem to be middle-of-the-road, i.e. not exceedingly nice or mean, just doing their job.

However, I must say encountered two of the biggest assholes I've ever met while at NYCityCenter waiting in the cancellation line for "Blackbird." I understand they probably have people coming in all the time asking for tickets when they've been long sold out, which could be frustrating, so I tried to be as nice as I could, and they still barked rude orders at me, rolled their eyes when I asked where I should form a line (their answer was "just stand where I can see you"-- which I did for 2 hours). And then when I finally got a ticket, I was just curious where the seat was, so I asked if there was a seating chart anywhere, and his jaw dropped and said "You're joking, right? Your seat's fine, just go."

And also, not nearly as dramatic, but the box office gentleman at the Cort when I did rush for "Radio Golf" was quite rude as if it was a massive inconvenience that I politely asked for a rush ticket.

On the other hand, the box office worker at "Frost/Nixon" was incredibly nice and helpful.

[mightydog]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 12:21pm

City Center are the same rude people I dealt with and frankly, I doubt I will ever go see anything there again.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 3:36pm

Don't you love it when Box Office people are nice? When I recently went on my Playbill shopping spree, I didn't encounter one slightly rude worker.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 3:41pm

I haven't had anyone be out and out rude to me. A few have been very blunt, but no one's been rude. (The most blunt was the guy at the Hilton who was all "We do NOT have rush for Saturday night" with attitude. I wanted to say "Like you're selling the house out..." but I didn't. Not outloud anyway. :) )

I have figured out that if I'm going to see about rush after the box office opens for it, I'm better off saying up front (nicely of course) "Do you happen to have one rush ticket left for tonight?" rather than asking if they have any, being told no, then they say "How many?" because they've got one left. But I always say please and thank you.

[gustof777]

Posted: 6/2/07 at 3:56pm

my only bad experience has been with the woman at the Belasco while trying to buy tickets for Journeys End but there have been many posts about the monstrous staff at that theater