What about when you get a smug asshole on the phone that is being paid by your (fees/taxes/dues/etc.) and they bait you? As a customer I get mighty pissed off when I call for help and get told something to the effect of, "the rules is the rules... sooorrryyyy" and you know the person on the other end really couldn't give two shits.

I try to remember that the person on the phone is a drone and has zero power. Most of the phone people I speak to are very good... but on occasion I find a sadist that actually enjoys their inability to help and enjoys the fact that I'm in a world of trouble. Mostly I find this attitude in the medical/medical insurance field.

Banks have gotten so automated the only way I see and talk to a real live human is if I walk into the bank and wave around a gun or money.

Not my circus.  Not my monkeys.
      -Polish proverb