Print out, and hand out to each group.
Task 1:
Making a complaint, but without being rude
I'm sorry to have to say this but... I'm sorry to bother you, but... Maybe you forgot to... I think you might have forgotten to...
Excuse me if I'm out of line, but... Don't get me wrong, but I think we should... There may have been a misunderstanding about...
Replace these rude sentences with the polite sentences
Situation:
You went to the bus station and the ticket seller sold you the wrong ticket.
Rude complaint:
"Is it so damn hard to sell me the correct ticket?"

Situation:
You're at a waiting hall, such as in the hospital, you've been waiting for so long and you want to ask the nurse when you will see the doctor.
Rude complaint:
"Am I going to wait here until I die?"

Situation:
You are in a taxi, the driver is going the wrong way.
Rude complaint:
"Are you trying to cheat me, because you are driving me all around town!"

Situation:
You are working with you colleagues, and you believe your method of working is better.
Rude complaint:
"You idea was the worse idea I have ever heard!"

Situation:
You are at a restaurant and the waitress has not yet brought your dinner to your table.
Rude complaint:
"What the hell is going on in the kitchen, why is it taking forever to make my dinner!"

Situation:
You requested for a product, but, it is not the one you have ordered, you want to exchange it.
Rude complaint:
"What the hell is this, does this look like the one I ordered, no it is not, are you some sort of idiot!!"
Task 2:
Dealing with rude complaining customers
What seems to be the problem?
What happened exactly?
I'm afraid it's not our policy to ...
I promise you I'll ...
We’re sorry that you've had a problem with this product.
Did you read the instructions that came with the ...?
How were you using the ...?
I understand you're upset, sir.
I'm just trying to understand the problem.
Is there anything else I need to know about this that I haven’t thought to ask?
This task your group will have to deal with a terribly rude customer, the teacher, who you must reassure that the situation is taken care of. Customers who complain rudely are often in the wrong, but you can never tell a customer that they are stupid. If you speak to them as if they are stupid then they will get even more angry.
You will not know what the teacher will say or do exactly, but you can prepare some sort of response, such as "I'm sorry sir/ma'am but there is nothing we can do about it."
Print out, hand out and cut out one to each group
Group 1
The teacher is a customer who bought a computer, has returned it because cannot get connected to the internet.
The solution
The teacher didn't plug in the cable for the internet, you need to explain to him/her to go home and retry the cable.
Group 2
The teacher is a customer in a restaurant, he/she thought they'd ordered a dish, but in fact, they didn't.
The solution
You will take the order for that dish, and assure him/her that it won't take too long.
Group 3
The teacher is a shopper in a supermarket, he/she thought the price of the item is cheaper, but is actually more.
The solution
The teacher has to pay for the actual price of the item, or not buy it all.
Group 4
The teacher is checking out from a hotel, you have to charge him/her for the can of Coke he/she has drank, but he/she thought it was free.
The solution
You have to charge him/her for the drink, and explain why he/she has to pay for it.
Group 5
The teacher is a customer who had bought a pet dog from your pet store, but has returned because the dog has died due to his/her mistreatment and wants his/her money refunded.
The solution
You cannot be responsible for animals health after they have been sold, you need to explain to the teacher he/she must look after animals much better next time.
Group 6
The teacher is a customer in a store, someone has stolen his/her wallet, but because it was stolen in your store he/she believes that it is your responsibility and you should compensate for his/her lost.
The solution
You are not responsible for an crime in your store, you can only offer to call the police.
Group 7
The teacher is in a cafe, he/she has been drinking 5 cups of coffee, he/she thinks they've only drank 4 cups of coffee and refuses to pay for the fifth.
The solution
You will make the teacher pay for 5 cups of coffee, and if he/she won't you will call the police.
Group 8
The teacher is on an airplane, he/she is frighten that the plane will crash and demands that the plane should land.
The solution
You have to explain that the plane can't land until it reaches the next airport, and to reassure him/her that the airplane is safe.
Group 9
The teacher is in the restaurant, he/she has eaten all of the food, but, is complaining the food wasn't delicious and doesn't want to pay for it.
The solution
The teacher has to pay, if the food wasn't delicious then why did he/she ate it all, and if he/she won't pay then you will call the police.
Group 10
The teacher had bought some clothes from your store, he/she has left some food stains on them and wants the full amount of money they'd paid back.
The solution
The clothes are in such bad condition, and you simply cannot accept them so the teacher cannot receive the money back.