Rezina Tuladhar
In business, the old saying “the customer is always right” has shaped how we treat clients for decades. While good service and care are essential, this mindset can sometimes go too far giving clients a silent license to mistreat those providing the service. What often goes unnoticed is the emotional toll it takes on businesses and their employees.
The Hidden Stress
Behind smiles and polite replies, many business owners and workers quietly suffer. They deal with clients who are constantly rude, overly demanding, or even abusive. Some customers make last-minute demands, ignore clear boundaries, or expect services beyond the agreed terms—without appreciating the time, effort, or care put into the work.
In many cases, clients:
- Use harsh words, shout, or demean staff
- Blame businesses for things out of their control
- Pressure teams with unrealistic deadlines
- Send messages or call at inappropriate hours
- Threaten to leave bad reviews or ruin reputations unless their demands are met
This behavior can leave a deep impact. It creates anxiety, reduces job satisfaction, and can cause burnout. For small businesses, where a few clients make up a big part of their income, saying “no” isn’t always easy—even when their mental well-being is at stake.
Speaking Up and Setting Boundaries
Fortunately, a shift is beginning. More businesses are now recognizing that mental health matters. They are training employees to calmly handle difficult conversations, and setting clear communication rules. Some companies now state in contracts that abusive behavior will not be tolerated, and a few are even walking away from harmful clients to protect their teams.
Respect should never be one-sided. Just as customers expect fairness and good service, businesses deserve to be treated with dignity too. Creating a respectful environment is everyone’s responsibility—not just the company’s.
A Culture of Care
Opening up about this issue doesn’t mean pointing fingers; it means encouraging healthier relationships. Companies that feel supported do better work, offer better service, and create positive experiences for everyone.
By building a culture where both sides listen, understand, and value each other, we make space for healthier work and more human connections because at the end of the day, businesses are people too.