"Etiquette is not about being 'stuffy.' It's about putting yourself forward in the best possible way, using courtesy to others as your guide, while still allowing your own personality to shine!"
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I help individuals and businesses polish their ability to stand out among their competition.
Visit my website to see what I can do for you!
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I just returned from the grocery store and something that I have seen happen a number of times before really stood out to me today.
I think that when I say I have a favorite person I like to have ring up my purchases most people can understand what I mean; that one clerk with whom we have developed a friendship of sorts, who seems to take extra care, perhaps always has a friendly smile, or recognizes us as we move through his or her line. The name of my favorite checker is Kim, and when he is working, I always head for his check stand, for of all of the above reasons -- and more.
What I noticed today -- and have witnessed many other times -- is that I'm not the only one who prefers to wait for Kim to ring things up. Today, there was a full contingent of checkers at all of the check stands, each servicing a customer, with perhaps one more waiting in queue. Yet at Kim's check stand, there were easily six of us patiently waiting, some with just a few items, others with fully loaded shopping carts. An employee came along and tried to direct a few of us to other lines, where there would be a shorter wait. To a one, the response was "Thank you, I'll stay here."
When the employee approached me to see if I would like to move to another, nearly empty line, he simply sighed and said "You want to wait for Kim, don't you?"
What I find so interesting is that, to my knowledge, no one has ever asked the customers WHY we are so willing to wait for a specific one of their clerks to take care of us ... WHAT is HE doing that makes his line such a draw? In this hurry-up world, Kim's customers are patient, and often friendly and chatting to each other in line as they wait their turn; does he have anything to do with this?
Today, as I waited in line for Kim to ring up my groceries, I watched the clerks on either side of him, observing their body language, their facial expressions and their interaction with their customers. Then I looked back at Kim and saw how he laughed with the woman he was servicing, while he still went quickly about his job. There was friendliness, there was service, and there was pride in what he was doing... and it was in how he did his job that made the difference.
I was happy to wait for Kim.
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Remember...
So much may be gained by watching other people IF the interest and attention to detail is there. Do you know someone who seems to just draw people in and make them feel good? What is it that he or she does... is it the smile? The remembering of names and details? What about the body language?
See what one new positive trait you can glean from watching someone else this week ... how will it benefit you?
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Please feel free to send me any of your
etiquette or customer service questions or stories!
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Jodi Blackwood
Business Etiquette & Customer Service Specialist
Speaker & Seminar Leader
"Etiquette is about polishing your approach,
not changing who you are."
mailto:jodi@jodiblackwood.com
360-798-4912
www.jodiblackwood.com
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