How to Respond to People Who Make Snide Comments About Your Job

While we hope this is something you never encounter, the sad truth is that people working in the portable sanitation industry are often the targets of snide comments. For some reason, some people seem to think it’s okay to remark on our livelihoods.

Nobody deserves abuse when they’re doing their job, but shouting and arguing is not the right way to respond. It’s bad for business, and you’ll only end up more stressed.

Experienced PROs know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of ill-informed wisecracks. Luckily, they’ve lent us their top tips on how to respond when someone makes a snide comment about your job.

Always Be Respectful

If someone is being disrespectful, don’t stoop to their level. The best thing to do is remain respectful yourself. It’s good for business, and it often results in the person realizing they’re out of order. Kill ’em with kindness!

Educate

People who work in the sanitation industry provide a very important and respectable service throughout the world. This is not always understood by the people who think it’s a laughing matter. If you think the person is willing to listen, let them know that portable restrooms save 125 million gallons of fresh water a day globally (according to PSAI). Across the United States, as wildfires and extreme weather conditions worsen every year, portable restroom operators are always on hand to assist rescue workers and people who’ve lost access to toilets.

Never forget that without you, the event you’re working on, from music festivals to weddings, can’t go ahead! You provide a very necessary service.

For more inspiration, read this article on the benefits of our industry and click here to read about the pride and satisfaction that comes with being a PRO.

If Comfortable, Respond with a Joke of Your Own

Some people are comfortable going toe-to-toe and using humor to respond:

“Smells like money to me… Beats being stuck in the office all day… At least I get to enjoy this nice weather.”

Comments like these don’t belittle your job, and at the same time allow you to take control and show that you have pride in your work.

When All Else Fails…

If snide comments make you uncomfortable, however, and you don’t feel like joking back, you’re never obliged to do so. Don’t let people get under your skin. Smile, say “have a nice day,” and walk away. Or, simply ignore them. It’s not up to you to educate or humor ignorant people – just get on with your work!

Nobody needs extra stress when trying to do their job. People wouldn’t go into a hospital and mock the doctors. Likewise, they shouldn’t feel comfortable making fun of you. With more education around what we do, coupled with a sense of dignity in our work, we hope that snide comments about our industry will soon be things of the past.

Looking to Take Your Portable Restroom Business to the NEXT LEVEL? Download our FREE Guide: “Your Guide to Operating A Portable Restroom Business.”

Thinking About GETTING INTO the Portable Restroom Industry? Download our FREE Guide: “Your Guide to Starting A Portable Restroom Business.”