Customer Service?

Whatever happened to customer service?

Watching television the other night, there was a gas station, where an attendant filled the tank, checked the oil, the washer fluid, tires, and cleaned the windshield.

I'm only 44, and I can remember going to the gas station with mom or dad, and the attendant would do all of that, and usually even smile. We never had to get out of the car. I understand in the changing economy, stations aren't able to pay someone to do that anymore. But customer service seems to be dead now.

In the last few years, I have noticed that more and more, I get a waiter or waitress who seems to think I'm there for their benefit. They seem put out if I actually have to ask for a refill. Nevermind that, for the last fifteen minutes, I've been gulping large amounts of spicy food while slurping at the last few drops of watered down coke. If my meal is wrong, I seldom say anything for fear of what will happen to my meal while it is back in the kitchen being fixed.

Since when is the customer wrong for getting the meal the way he or she asked for it?

I'm something of a big tipper. Even if the service is poor, I'll usually leave at least fifteen percent. I've waited tables, and I know it can be long hard hours on your feet, dealing with rude customers, and sometimes hostile kitchen staff or management. And I always give the benefit of the doubt. But there are times that just doesn't work. No matter how I try to justify it, sometimes it just comes down to bad service. If the service is good, I will tip as much as thirty percent. Why?

Because I want to server to know that I appreciated them "putting up with" my special order. So I don't like onions. Isn't it just as easy to leave them out as it is to put them in?

And I can't be the only person receiving this kind of treatment. Why does it continue? Because enough of us don't complain. My thinking used to be that I would just put up with it, not say anything, but never go back. All that does is leave the sorry waiters to the next customer. A successful restaurant will never miss one family.

There is a Mexican restaurant we used to dine at most of the time we had Mexican food. But as time went on, the service got slower, and sloppier, and the quality of food just wasn't good enough to make it worth it. They have closed at least three restaurants that I know of. There is still one in business incredibly. And it is the one closest to where I live now. But I will not step foot in the door. I tried several times, and three different restaurants before giving up on the chain.

Yet, in spite of all of the bad experiences, the continual optimist in me will continue to eat out. And I will continue to hope to get a waiter or waitress who enjoys their job. Someone who will keep an eye on my glass when they pass by, and will bring refills before I'm sucking ice cubes. Someone who understands that I'm spending good money to enjoy a meal out, and that their job is to ensure I get what I pay for. Someone who smiles when they stop by the table, gets the meal out, and makes sure it's right. Someone who makes me feel like they are there to serve me. After all, isn't that what the word "server" means? And when I find that person, I will happily leave a big tip to let them know how much they are appreciated.