There’s a couple of old sayings, ‘Act as if..’ and ‘Whether you think you can, or can’t, you’re probably right.’  There’s also the age old staple of ‘The Customer is always right.’  We all face problems in dealing with crabby employees, poor service and just general uber-assholes in uniform.  Here’s some quick advice for the mindset to acquire while complaining. 

• When Complaining, Act. 
  Put yourself in a the role the low-level manager is wanting to see you in.  Pretend you’re trying to get casted, and you’ll amaze yourself at the dialogue you put together.  

• Keep Emotions in check.
  A good general rule of thumb but especially important if you want to save face.  True, you may get what you want by throwing a huge tantrum in the middle of the place - but you’ll look like a sissy.
• Drop Names.
  Not ‘Mr.’ names, but personal, friendly names.  I.e. - Frank, Doug, wayne, Linda, Lauren etc.  If you can personally name someone higher on the food chain, and sound like he’s a personal friend - then you’ll spook them.  Mix that with your Oscar award acting, you could get this manager scumbag bending over backwards.
• Comment Cards.
  Ask for a comment card, and mention that you’re planning on mailing it directly to corporate, or even hand-delivering it to your friend ‘Frank.’  While askign for the comment card, make sure you verify the name of the manager that’s trying to extinguish the situation, and make it clear they’ll be addressed on the card.
• Totally Local. 
  Mention the frequency of visits you and your friends have at the business you’re at, and how you’re local and have no problem replacing this business with a new place.  Which brings us too…
• I’m Telling.
  Word of Mouth marketing is and always will be the most solid form of Marketing - good or bad.  Businesesses know the 1 upset customer tells 10, they tell 10 etc. etc.  They also know that a person simply telling people close to them will instantly put a negative vibe into those people every time the come back to that location - and those people will be now looking for mistakes.
• Don’t Give Up. 
  Ever hear the story about the Texas college team thats been undefeated in 30 years?  They’ve never lost, they’ve just run out of time. Whether you suck at the above steps or not, on a long enough time line you’ll always get what you want - in one form or another.