Yay, I'm a real person!

Every once in awhile, I start to question whether I'm running out of steam answering feedback left for the Center through our website. When this happens, though, I invariably get a great response from someone I've answered, and that recharges me. For example, today, I got an email back from a guy I'd responded to thanking me for my help and for being "a real person behind these systems who is genuinely open to feedback." I know it's not much, but I don't need more than that to be happy and willing to continue doing this.

Yes, we have some complainers who will never be happy, but we have "real people," too, who have sincere suggestions and legitimate criticisms. It always goes better if I try to enter every conversation with the mindset that I'm on the patron's side. I'm not defending the castle against the barbarian hoarde, but rather accepting the barbarian's point that, yes, the drawbridge is looking a little worn-down, and I'll send a note down to the maintenance guys to look into it, and thank you for mentioning it. Your interest makes us want to be a better place to invade!

...That metaphor got away from me a little.

Also?

This is cracking me up for some reason

The world where the Olympics motivate whole countries to be on their best behavior is so disconnected in my head from the world we actually live in.

But it's a nice ideal to strive for.