I shared this over at the forum, but decided to share it as a story to share with people.

The client was already angry before the call even began.

You can hear it instantly sometimes, in the tone, in the pacing, in the way silence feels heavier than usual. Still, I did what I always do. I introduced myself clearly and professionally, setting the space the way interpreters are trained to.

“Translator, I don’t need you, just translate.”

It was blunt, dismissive, and familiar.

From that point on, the call never really settled. He kept interrupting, raising his voice, rushing through sentences, then blaming me when things slowed down. Every time I tried to do my job properly, to ensure accuracy, to clarify when needed, it was treated like an inconvenience.

But I stayed professional.

Calm voice, steady pace, no reactions. Just doing the job, exactly the way it’s meant to be done.

Because that’s what we’re expected to do.

The call eventually ended, like they always do.

And then there was silence.

No follow-up, no “are you okay,” no space to decompress. Just the quiet hum after everything, like nothing happened. Like moments like that don’t carry any weight.

But they do.

People think interpreting is just about translating words. They don’t see what it’s like to stand in the middle of someone else’s frustration and not be allowed to step out of it.

So you sit there for a bit.

Let it pass.

Then take the next call.