The other day, I went into my favorite bagel shop with my son. A disheveled young man in his twenties was working behind the counter. As he was helping the customers in the line ahead of me I remember laughing inside. He sounded just like a caveman. I pictured him with a large club and loincloth. “Hum? Ug? Huh? Wa? Ya…”
While it was cheap entertainment when he was helping the other customers, it wasn’t so funny when it my turn. “Can I get a toasted everything bagel with veggie cream cheese?” I asked. “Huh…”. I repeated myself. “…and a coffee with cream?” “Ya…there”. He pointed at the coffee bar that was right next to me. “Ug…” he sighed, clearly annoyed that I was too stupid to notice the self-serve coffee station. Without uttering another grunt, he placed my ticket on the clipboard and walked away.
There was no, “thank you”, no “I’ll be right with you”…not even a “here’s your order”. He simply shoved my breakfast in front of me like a prison guard feeding an inmate. “Gee, thanks…” I said, sarcastically.
Do you crave “nice” as much as I do? If you are nice to me, I’ll ignore a wet cheeseburger, rubbery fries and a stale Coke.
Why is “nice” such a hard concept for some people to understand? I’ll over-tip nice people. I’ll refer my friends to stores with nice employees. I’ll spend more money on clothes when the saleslady seems genuine when she assures me that I look “fabulous” in a swimsuit that is three sizes too small. It isn’t rocket science. Nice sells.
I am convinced that this is why home-based businesses such as direct sales are becoming more and more popular. Customers are growing tired of the teenagers who are too busy text-messaging their friends to take their fast food orders. Diners are sick of waiters and waitresses who look “put out” when they dare ask for another basket of bread sticks or water refill. While “nice” may not always be the norm nowadays, people absolutely crave great customer service.
While I won’t insult you by titling my next blog, “how to be nice – 101”. I will offer you three quick and easy tips to charm your customers.
In the meantime, check out these related blog entries:
How’s Your Phone Personality
Nurturing and Cultivating Customers