tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post261062376566284130..comments2024-02-28T11:29:36.860-05:00Comments on just up the pike: giving good customer service = slavery?Dan Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10594208011755406956noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-47431784458214917352011-02-17T12:02:21.592-05:002011-02-17T12:02:21.592-05:00"I think she has a fair point though - why do..."I think she has a fair point though - why do we accept it of Michael Landrum, but not of Gillian Clark? "<br /><br />I think there is a big difference between being by default friendly, but suffering no fools gladly, and being indifferent (at best) right from the get go.<br /><br />I have always felt welcome at Rays the Classics, as opposed to my one--and only-- experience at General Store where I felt like I was being stabbed with eye daggers the second I walked in the door.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14468027582299680188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-35438333437369866422011-02-06T20:57:30.729-05:002011-02-06T20:57:30.729-05:00I think she has a fair point though - why do we ac...I think she has a fair point though - why do we accept it of Michael Landrum, but not of Gillian Clark? She gets much more sh*t for her attitude than he does that I can see, and I don't blame her for wondering if it is her sex or her race that contribute to that?katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12706441643386595710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-65539116868934763562011-02-05T13:15:15.741-05:002011-02-05T13:15:15.741-05:00Having been in the service industry for thirty...Having been in the service industry for thirty years I must say that the issue of rudeness goes both ways.<br /><br />Customrers are demanding more- and many establishments have spoiled them, and employees have become so indifferent to customers that customers will usually walk away from the counter.<br /><br />Custormrs are always in a rush, and many try to network when placing orders or asking emoloyees for help.<br />I recall a customre asking nme for a locationn of a particular item and as I am explaing to her where the item is located- she is carrrying on a conversation on her cell phone.<br />She did not hear what I told her and when she asked me agin- I told her to hang up the phone- she did not and I did not repeat myself.<br /><br />As for the food at the General Store-- never for me- three tries- three strikes your out.<br /><br />Bob Fusteroretgroclkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13538891152523408607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-70439740030952990752011-02-03T18:32:53.841-05:002011-02-03T18:32:53.841-05:00I see how this is getting to be all about that one...I see how this is getting to be all about that one individual and their establishment, nothing wrong with that I suppose.<br /><br />Still, once again I need to point out that difference between privately-owned/individually-owned service-industry establishments, and those owned and/or operated by large chains. <br /><br />Sometimes the chains are better, because they have corporate concerns and want to make sure that their staff aren't going to embroil the parent corporation in expensive litigation. <br /><br />On the other hand, in some of a chain's stores, they can let the staff get all nasty because they're the only outlet in their vicinity, and the competitors are staffed by the same sort carrying on in the same way. The customer can take their business elsewhere, but they'll get the same treatment. <br /><br />I once stopped for gas in Dulce New Mexico. And they had a sign in the store that said: "Don't like my attitude? The next gas station is 90 miles thataway --->".<br /><br />That sort of thing might work if you're so far out in the desert that they have to ship in water by taker truck, but in anyplace so massively over-supplied with restaurants as is Montgomery County, you have to sell service as much as you have to sell the menu. If your service is unacceptable, nobody's going to care about your menu unless the service is equally bad everywhere else.Thomas Hardmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07951423786343852055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-20741334533104864522011-02-03T16:29:17.070-05:002011-02-03T16:29:17.070-05:00Poor lady is brimming with anger. You don't h...Poor lady is brimming with anger. You don't have to be suzzie cream cheese to still be civil. After reading that article I thought what a sad perspective on life she has. It's a similar attitude many blacks (and others) have and I think it's one of the things that keep many blacks from giving their 100%. Who cares what some ignorant racist thinks, don't let it limit your dreams. Tip to the wise, some people will hate you for any reason under the sun, your color is one of a million. I know the history, but you can't change that, what you can change is how the future will play out, at least a bit. <br /><br />On a positive note, I did try her fried chicken, and damn it's good. Flaky, jucy, and flavorful with out overwhelming your palette. Here's wishing her all the best in working out her issues. It would be a shame to deny so many people the pleasure of her cooking because our world isn't perfect.Thayer-Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04892043179839099462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-7031033195586133622011-02-03T16:03:57.642-05:002011-02-03T16:03:57.642-05:00I'm so glad you wrote this piece. I've bee...I'm so glad you wrote this piece. I've been to GSPOT (General Store and Post Office Tavern)many times and NEVER, EVER received friendly service. At best it's indifferent but often it's borderline rude. I don't need the chef to blow me a kiss or be friendly, but for crying out loud what about anyone who works at the front? Or the loopy people who bring you your food? They are oblivious--as if they have no clue how to run a restaurant or acknowledge that the customer is responsible for their being able to have a restaurant. Gillian makes damn good chicken and fish tacos, but I don't go back there anymore because it's just not a good experience. There are hundreds of us in the neighborhood who feel the same way and now probably thousands since the Post article showed just what she thinks of her customers. Gillian may get a lot of press now, but her retail establishments will go the way of the dodo if she doesn't pay attention.Woodsiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14309909175517520577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-84026664568314884702011-02-03T01:33:37.118-05:002011-02-03T01:33:37.118-05:00I want to like the General Store, because I think ...I want to like the General Store, because I think we could with more interesting restaurant options east of Rock Creek Park. When I have eaten there, the service has not been rude, but "friendly" is not a word that comes to mind, either. The real problem, though, is that the food is just not that great, and it is mostly not even very interesting.Casey Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13257605906533365614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-899263903534105432011-02-02T18:29:24.696-05:002011-02-02T18:29:24.696-05:00Dan wrote, in-part:
But that doesn't stop me...Dan wrote, in-part: <br /><br /><i>But that doesn't stop me from putting on a smile and leaving my problems at the door when I come to work. That should apply no matter what you do.</i><br /><br />In my recent experience, over the last 5 years or so if not longer, the sort of attitude you express has become almost unheard-of. <br /><br />Surliness and even violence are mostly what I get in any store or restaurant, to the point where I go out as little as possible. It's not just me who feels this way, but interestingly in recent weeks some of the larger and more ubiquitous chains such as Giant and CVS are starting to "get it". This is good for everyone, if the trend continues.Thomas Hardmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07951423786343852055noreply@blogger.com