When I wrote a column on taking care of customers recently, I correctly figured I would receive positive feedback from it. But one negative e-mail stood out to me — because it illustrates an important point so well. That is why companies need to continue to stress customer service and demand nothing less from their employees, even with the most difficult customers.

The individual wrote: “It’s the customer’s attitude that is the cause of how he/she will be treated by the employee. I’m a sales floor associate at a large discount chain and have experiences where customers approach me with a bad attitude, and ask simple questions in an unkind manner. Customers disrespect employees as if they think they are royalty, and expect employees should bow down to their every need. Does everybody want to get their hand held at every store they visit, and guided through the entire store when there are signs hanging from the ceiling? Also, customers come unprepared and expect employees to know what their issue is when they have no clue what their problem is! Give respect. Get respect.”