Genealogy research tends to be a more 'happy'(?) field. The other folks in my office have to deal with people coming in to file complaints, divorces, etc or to pay fines. These co-workers have an amazing ability to calm people down and difuse the situation. The people who are rude to me are the ones who think I'm their own private, personal researcher and they can't understand it when they have to 'get in line' when others are waiting for information before them. THEN in gets a bit nasty. (I want the information - and I want it NOW!)
Sometimes you can be too friendly and cheery though - especially over the phone. I had one deluded guy who was hinting that he wanted to go out with me. Then, he showed up unexpectedly and boy, was he shocked! (Let's just say my voice and my face don't match!) He never showed up again. I just can't understand why ever not! LOL!! Come to think of it, he never called either!
I LOVE the idea of being paid to do what you do. Heck, I do it for free now! How'd you luck into this kind of work, and is this something most counties have? What part of the country are you in? What are the fees the county charges for this kind of assistance?