I went to a coffee shop recently (okay, it was Limonatta in McKinnon) at around 2pm. There were only a few customers there but soon more came in; apparently regulars of the rusted-on variety. The woman running the place knew every one of them by name. Impressive, huh?
She didn’t know me by name, since it was my first time there. In fact, since I frequent so many cafes, I can count the number of times I have gotten to know the staff on the fingers of one hand. When it does happen, it’s nice, but it’s not something I really expect.
My expectations as to service are not unreasonable. As I have stated before, if, at a café, someone comes to my table to take my order, than delivers the coffee within a reasonable timeframe, and the coffee is good, than it matters little to me how rude or impolite the staff are. If, when delivering the strong latte I ordered, they snarl “Here’s your coffee, you swine”, if it is a very good strong latte I shall definitely return.
But I’m not sure there are many others who think the same way.
18 comments
Comments feed for this article
Trackback link
http://myopinionsareimportant.com/2007/06/25/how-important-is-service-anyway/trackback/
June 25, 2007 at 12:31 pm
benjamin
I think I’m with you on this one. It’s a bonus when the service is nice, but if the coffee stinks then I’m not coming back. I also feel apologetic to staff at places where they have to deal with customers all day. When buying groceries you can see the 16 year old kid serving you is groaning and unhappy. I’m not going to expect great service from a kid with a job like this. I’ll just say ‘thankyou’ and be on my way. As long as they aren’t overcharging me or something I don’t really care.
Still, if a big place like K-Mart or something has crabby staff, but they are also disorganized and can’t give me what I want, then I get annoyed, because they’ve got the money to make sure these kinds of things don’t happen.
Wow, I’m really opinionated about this for some reason. Weird.
June 25, 2007 at 4:33 pm
markk
Annoying, isn’t it, when they can’t provide their own product or service correctly? Almost as annoying is making you wait for ages before they finally deem you worthy of service. (Or when the manager deliberately short-staffs the place so everyone has to wait for ages.)
June 25, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Hungary Real Estate
there are so many places today i think you will go to a place were there is good latte and good service
June 25, 2007 at 9:52 pm
ironic1
What impresses me is when they remember my order.
June 26, 2007 at 10:19 am
themolk
Service is THE factor in all retail transactions. We have so much choice these days - we can get what we want in a number of different places - why should we come back? I know many people who will pay the extra $$$ just because they get good service.
For mine, it’s key…
June 26, 2007 at 4:44 pm
markk
We seem to be talking about several types of service here; competent service, quick service, good service (above the call of duty) and friendly service (where they know you by name).
I hate it when I get given the wrong thing or the staff don’t know what they are doing. I also hate waiting. If those are taken care of, I’m happy, whether or not they know my name.
Of course, a friendly attitude can still go a long way.
I often think I would pay a bit extra at fast food places if it made them more competent.
June 26, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Pete Aldin
I go to a bistro every 2nd week at the same time with another guy for coaching about 8.30 am. Been doing it for about 3 months. This is a very busy bistro and we only ever order drinks, not breakfast.
The last 2 times I’ve walked in, a different waitress each time has said “Good morning, a large flat white and a large hot chocolate?” and when I’ve nodded (pleasantly surprised) one of them added “And I’ll bring the second ones over in about half an hour”.
They know everything we do. Either we stick in my mind because we’re too cheap to buy breakfast OR they “get” service.
June 26, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Pete Aldin
I mean “Stick in their mind”
June 26, 2007 at 7:57 pm
markk
That’s impressive, seeing as you don’t go there that often and have been recognised by multiple waitresses.
June 26, 2007 at 11:21 pm
ironic1
I’m always impressed when people remember my preferences and also mildly embarrassed. It’s like they have some intimate knowledge of me when I know nearly nothing about them.
June 27, 2007 at 5:25 pm
markk
“Intimate knowledge” = he’ll have a flat white with a hot chocolate to follow in 30 minutes. I like that.
So those parts of the Bible which read “and Adam knew Eve his wife” - that was talking about coffee! I’d always suspected as much.
June 27, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Pete Aldin
In the orginal Hebrew it does say “And Adam knew Eve his wife liked a strong macchiato first thing in the morning, an espresso over lunch and a decaf latte mid-afternoon, and because of providing these things for his wife, she was open to his amourous advances and was soon with child.”
I think.
June 27, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Pete Aldin
By the way, Markk, have you read my email about the guys nite invite yet? C’mon, man, check your emails!!!!!!!!
June 27, 2007 at 8:30 pm
markk
That sounds like my kind of romance!
Pete, I replied to your email yesterday! I said, that, yeah, I like, liked it. Good to go. Top stuff.
June 28, 2007 at 7:57 am
Pete Aldin
Cool. Shall do.
June 28, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Robb
There’s a neat restaurant in Chicago that specialises in rude service. The food is decent, the prices a bit high, but the service is deliberately rude. It’s a very entertaining evening, especially when you go the first time and don’t realise this fact until 15 or 20 minutes into the service
June 29, 2007 at 2:12 pm
markk
Robb, that’s hilarious! A great place to take unsuspecting friends, I bet.
June 29, 2007 at 10:44 pm
bismut
Good coffee will make services meaningless. I am paying for a cup of good coffee anyway!