People keep asking me how I manage to get good service almost anywhere I go, like the coffee shops, the hotels and restaurants around the hospital etc. while they have to struggle to be seen in the crowd. I keep telling them that it’s all because of my natural charm, good looks, magnetism and charisma, but they don’t believe me. I wonder why.
Anyway here is what I don’t have to do, but you will, if you want to duplicate my genetic and god given talents.
Smile. No, not your regular pasted-on dumb smile that you think works, people are smart, contrary to popular belief, and if your smile is fake so are you and counterfeits don’t get serviced.
Look people in the face. Yes the coffee shop clerk has a face, and stop staring at the salesgirls’ cleavage.
Address the counter person by name. If you plan to be a regular at any establishment, ask people’s names, if you are bad at names, tell them you will ask them again, and address them name, believe me it works.
Wait. Don’t be in such a damn hurry; learn to wait for your turn. This rule applies especially to food stalls where proper ques are still a rare sight. The staff loves a patient costumer.
Suggest, don’t bitch. Point out stuff that can easily be put right. It’s ok to point out stuff that you don’t have solutions to too.
Be a regular. While shop hopping is cool if you want the cheapest deal, if you find a couple of service outlets that are reasonable stick to them, familiarity breeds better service.
Hands handle money not the counter top. While giving money or getting change, give it to the persons hand (right hand if you are Indian). And try not look like the pervert you are, so don’t shiver when the counter girls hand touches yours.
Say thank you. Don’t mumble under your breath. Say it to the face in front of you not to the counter. Say it with a smile.
Magic Words. “Please” “Thank you” “Sorry” ” Good job/shop”. Use them.
Well that’s all I can think of, you should do fine, but don’t expect to do as well as me.
Ciao
Schizo
8 responses so far ↓
1 Hiren // Oct 11, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Very interesting. Reminds you of Dale Carnegie’s “How to win friends and influence people”. The problem is that practical life does not work that way all the time because many people in India do not know the significance of a customer and this leads to problems. Some times they are chronic and also involve higher management- Cust-se-mar- Customer. In such cases, you have to take the bull by the horns and sometimes behave exactly the opposite of what you suggested.
2 Schizo Phrenic // Oct 11, 2006 at 5:05 pm
I agree partially, but I think the attitude in india is changing, fast and drastically. Now the average indian gets a whole lot better service as a whole than ten or even five years ago. Sometimes i agree we need to go by the old saying “laato ke bhoot baato se nahi mante”.
Hail India:-)
blog on Hiren
checked out your blog. I am building a collection of india blogs that have more just than cut and copied posts from other blogs and celeb news. You are on.
Ciao
Schizo
3 worshipguitarguy // Oct 11, 2006 at 9:22 pm
Great suggestions schizo, it’s funny because we’re from two different cultures, but your principles apply here too…
Man, thanks for stopping by, and congrats for getting the fastest growing blog slot today!
4 wagi // Oct 11, 2006 at 11:57 pm
I think you forgot one important rule, never ever strangle the help.
5 officedoodles // Oct 12, 2006 at 2:40 am
I agree those rules are awesome! Not only will get the best service you’ll get the best goods. My general rule is to ASK QUESTIONS like what is your favorite? Because they know. And be kind. Ask there name as much as possible!
Cheers,
Officedoodles
http://officedoodles.wordpress.com
6 Schizo Phrenic // Oct 12, 2006 at 4:04 am
Hi
Good points folks, strike a conversatiom, become a regular, and soon you will have them tell you honestly whats good.
wagi, will remember the advice, though some dont deserve strangling …
ciao
schizo
7 Cars // Oct 12, 2006 at 4:36 am
Nice rules, It will be useful for me, though these are simple things but matter much.Thank you (with smiling face)for such a nice topic.
8 Schizo Phrenic // Oct 13, 2006 at 6:55 am
Shukriya
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