I drove by two restaurants today.
One is a little expensive, with excellent food, a little out of the way to get to. As I drove by the road to it, I thought, "That's where I asked the cashier if they sold any ibruprofen and she gave me some from her own stash." She was so sweet and considerate. I sent her earrings as a thank you afterwards. I thought maybe we should go there to eat again.
A few minutes later, I drove by a little roadside eatery. It's known for decent food at reasonable prices. We've only eaten there once, and I briefly thought, "We should go there again." But just as quickly, I thought, "Oh, no, that's the place that, when Jon's car died coming home from work, they wouldn't let him use the phone to call me."
Now, this incident happened years ago when he worked in another town, and before cell phones were so prevalent. The restaurant may have actually changed hands since then. But that negative experience (they wouldn't even call FOR him) pops into my head every time I think about possibly eating there. They were the only public place on a long, lonely stretch of highway, and he waited a long time before he could get help.
This little story is good to remember when dealing with customers.
I know sometimes we can't make everyone happy. Sometimes we can't always rise to the occasion. We're human beings, not saints. And unfortunately, people do tend to remember the bad stuff more than the good. (I think our kids know that restaurant only as "the place that wouldn't help Daddy"...)
Even so I still try my best to make everyone's encounter with me and my artwork a pleasant one.
There are some people who think I'm way too nice to vendors, customers and wholesale accounts. I know sometimes I work too hard at taking the "higher road".
In the end, I'm always reminded of these two restaurants.
I note which one gets my business and which one doesn't.
