Customer Service...

At last night's dinner table, the topic of conversation was my wife's trip to and from Montreal, Canada, on the Greyhound Bus.  After September eleventh 2001 any type of travel has become more secure and cumbersome, on the part of the traveler.  All the people involved in the industry have become more empowered and unwilling to deal with even the slight amount of questioning.  I agree with the philosophy of "the customer is always right" but with in boundaries.  If the antics of the patron(s) interferes with the safety of the everyone in the establishment or if  their requests have nothing to do with what they are purchasing then the customer is not right. 

The bus driver tells everyone on board to turn their radios off or wear  headphones because he needs quiet when driving.  Someone on board does not understand because of the language barrier between English and French and a little while later he is off the bus.  Montreal in the French speaking part of Canada called Quebec.  If you are running a service that requires translators, please make sure that they are stationed where they should be, assisting distressed clients.  It is understood that a pilot or a driver of public transportation should not be harassed or threatened in any way, but asking general questions does not warrant any "Authoritarian Behavior" on their part.

One more word and You are Out!!!

It is understood that when you sit for a meal in a fine dining establishment you expect a certain level of food and service to be equivalent with prices that are charged on the menu.  There is no doubt that the customer(s) have to be absolutely satisfied with their experience.    Anything in life that has to do with a person's tastes is very sensitive.  Clothing, cars, homes and food are businesses that are geared to the likes and dislikes of people.  Too loose or too tight, too long or too short can be adjusted.  Cooking temperatures are also matters of personal taste.  I like my steaks cooked medium rare, slightly bloody and reddish pink.  For people ordering beef in a restaurant it is best to order something undercooked, this way if it needs to be adjusted, there would be no problem of over cooking.

The transportation business is no longer accommodating to the customer as it used to be prior to 2001.  We are living in a world of "you get what you get and don't get upset, or else".  Since September eleventh 2001, everyone is on alert for terrorism.  Therefore any time there is someone or something that is different from the norm, things turn suspicious and tolerance  minimizes.  If someone does have a complaint or dissatisfaction with product or service, their voice is trough pen and paper.  Even  in writing a person must choose their words carefully as not to be misconstrued.

Customer Service.....Tread Lightly.