In a previous post I wrote about how it is fun to act as if you know everyone, especially people who are in customer service. But sometimes you don’t have to act. Brenna and I go out to eat or be entertained quite often and even though we try to go someplace different as often as possible we do also like to go back to the same places? Why? Because we know the food or drinks or music or whatever we are there to enjoy is going to be good based on previous experience.
Yet sometimes we find ourselves going to the same places maybe a little too much. Why do I think it may be too much? Because when the wait staff recognizes you… On the other hand it is a good feeling too when you approach the hostess stand and she recognizes you and greats you with a huge smile and a “Oh hello you two. Nice to see you again. Your usual table?”
Have you ever seen a James Bond movie where the waiter seems to know what Bond is going to order? Or when he walks up to the registration desk at the hotel, the agent recognizes him and they remember which room he prefers?
(I guess it would be different if it was the guy at the pawn shop window or the collection agency desk right that recognizes you and knows you by name?)
One way to help facilitate this is to… you guessed it, start the ball rolling by acting as if they already know you. Just be friendly and treat them right and they will remember you next time.
I recall my first trip to Pilsen in the Czech Republic. My first night I had dinner in the restaurant of my 4 Star hotel and with a very favorable exchange rate, dinner and drinks where quite affordable. I tipped the young lady who was my server 100% of the bill. The next morning at breakfast guess who was treated like a king by the entire staff? “Would you like your shoes shined Sir?” “Would you like the special parking spot Sir?” “Is there anything at all we can do for you Sir?” All the time I just had big smiles for them and they for me. It was the same on each of my subsequent visits.
It is just a matter of being friendly and treating people nicely.
You never know what kind of smile that can get for you…
Or what kind of smile it will bring to you.