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DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARREADERS»Ihave stepped away from my daily column while I work on my next book, to be published in the fall. While I'm away, I hope you'll enjoy this "Best Of" question. To- day's topic is rudeness. DEAR AMY » I am a 21-year- old college student. To help pay the bills, I work at a coffee shop (it's a little family- owned place — not a chain). I fre- quently work by myself. I deal with customers who are rude, disrespect- ful and patronizing. I have customers who demand that I provide beverages and snacks that we don't serve. Some parents come in and let their children roam free while they catch up with their friends. My employer and all o f my c o- wo r k er s re sp e c t and encourage this. But when parents leave, they make no effort to help clean the mess their child has left. When I have to deal with customers who lack manners and civility, I get ag g ra va te d. I ask readers to take into account the way that they treat people who work the counters at their favorite hangout. We work hard to dispense whatever luxury item they are paying us for. All we ask in return is a little common courtesy and respect. —TiredofRude Customers DEAR TIRED » I agree. I'm tired of rude customers too. Recently I was in my local Starbucks and was horrified to hear a fellow customer chew out the staff over a botched order. I was wondering what this person would think if somebody burst into her workplace and hurled expletives at her. The staff, however, was polite and unflappable. They showed the sort of calm exhi bit ed by host age negotiators. They told me that when it comes to dealing with unpleasant encounters, their training kicks in. Your question prompt- ed me to call Sanja Gould, a spokeswoman for Starbucks. I asked her how they train their employees to deal with rude customers. (Gould started out as a barista for the company, 11 years ago.) "Our baristas are trained to understand that many different elements come into play in any given situation. Each customer is an individual. Our job is to try to make that person's day better. We try to create an environ- ment where everybody is treated with respect and dignity." It might help if you remember that part of your job is to treat all cus- tomers as if they have the potential to be wonderful. It might inspire them to behave well. (February 2006) Amy Dickinson's mem- oir, "The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter and the Town that Raised Them" (Hyperion), is available in bookstores. Barista ponders the best way to deal with rude customers You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Aquarius(Jan.20-Feb.19) — Positive alterations will make it easier for you to pursue a dream, project or pastime. Don't let someone else take charge or you won't get things done. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — You'll create confusion with your changeable attitude and mood swings. Money, fitness or legal matters can be improved if you are thrifty. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Surprise someone by doing something out-of-the-ordinary or special. Your kind gesture will bring you closer together. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — If you don't like the way things are being done, do them your- self. Taking action is the best way to get ahead while getting what you want. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Use your charm and show your willingness to get things done. Set your priorities and follow through on your plans with discipline in order to bypass someone trying to give you a hard time. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Show a little passion and excitement about life and the people you love. An original idea to please someone will go over well and win you favors. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Uncertainty in a relationship will help you recognize what you want. Make whatever changes are necessary to turn your in- tentions into reality. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Take a proactive approach to whatever you do. Don't feel that you have to do everything in a conservative manner. Some- times it pays to think outside the box when it comes to bring- ing about change. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — If you put greater effort into moneymaking opportunities, contractual negotiations and your health, you will succeed. Don't procrastinate or wait for someone else to do things for you. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Use your energy wisely. A creative project will lead to greater recognition, as long as you are careful not to go over budget. Do the work yourself and save money. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You'll be noticed one way or another. Be careful not to do something that makes you look bad or hampers your chance to advance. All eyes will be on you. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Time and patience will pay off. Do everything you can to improve a situation with a friend, relative or neighbor. Get- ting along with others will be the best way to go. Horoscope By Eugenia Last TUESDAY, FEB. 16 TUESDAY,FEBRUARY16,2016 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 3 B