I just noticed something amusing. I’m not quite sure what lesson to take from it.
I was just finished gathering a few books to buy in a local bookstore. I headed to the counter, where one of the two employees was helping another customer find a book, while the other was shelving. The first employee said, “I’m still helping this gentleman,” and I waved and said, “No problem.” I pulled out my Moleskine pocket notebook to scribble down a few thoughts and generally make use of the time.
Zip! The other employee was behind the counter within seconds, graciously asking me how I’d like to pay, explaining their new (free!) discount card, and just generally giving me excellent customer service.
This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time, I was in a restaurant, and after pulling out my Moleskine and noting a few observations about the day, I suddenly received fantastic service from practically everyone there.
And it hit me: they think I’m a professional critic. In the restaurant I must have looked like a restaurant critic, so suddenly I got great service. The bookstore must have thought that, because I was pulling out a little black book and preparing to make notes while waiting at the counter, that I was checking up on them.
Like I said, I’m not quite sure what to learn from this. Except that, when I’m getting bad service, try to pull out my Moleskine and see if the service improves….
Comments:
| Animom | Amazing! |
| Gret | sweet |
| Brennen | I have actually noticed similar reactions in a couple of restaurants, though I could never be sure I wasn’t just imagining things. In general I think people tend to notice, one way or another, when you’re writing in public. |
| Andre | lol … great :) |
| Shadrone | That same thing works in a lot of places. People are generally afraid of written info when they are involved. |