I know nothing about records offices or research rooms (although I have used them); my experience is with museum collections and history. In the 12+ years I lived and worked in a house museum with more than 3,000 visitors a year (it is on top of a hill so it's a rigorous walk) I encountered and dealt with maybe five exasperating or ugly people. Since then I have volunteered in a city museum; haven't gotten a bad one yet.