This week I've been working a lot and had little opportunity(time-wise) to some bigger acts of kindness but I must admit now that I've been doing so many of them, I'm becoming much more aware of other people and myself doing it unconsciously on a daily basis.
At my work, guest service and team work are our main goals. We are trained to do whatever necessary(within appropriate job standards, of course) to please our guests and keep them coming back. I'm a line cook much more than a cashier these days, but even still I am notice random acts of kindness committed by my fellow employees, superiors and even the guests.
I always try to come in the door with a smile, answer the phone with a smile (they say if you smile before you answer the phone, the tone of your voice will be much more happier sounding) and talk to the guests with a smile and a listening ear. I've learned that if you just simply listen, the guest will be much more polite and reciprocal. Everybody just wants to be listened to and acknowledged. Whenever a guest has a complaint, we listen first and for most and then the first thing we say is "I am very sorry you had that experience" and ask them how we can make it better. When people have complaints we write them comp cards (I'm sorry cards), free chips and salsa or credit book. Those are just some of the little things we do as a team to make a bad situation better, or a crabby guest happy.
Other times we spark up conversations with guests. I am always noticing our General Manger talking to guest, she sometimes even scoots right the booth with them. When I see her, I always think..."They don't even know her, don't they feel awkward with her just sitting down, randomly talking to them?" But honestly, I don't think they do. They always have smiles on their faces and their engaging in the conversation.
I've been having really good days at work lately. I don't know if it's my more than positive attitude or the good and positive company I have around me...but it's probably both. I just feel so good about being there because everybody works together and helped each other out. "Oh I'll do that for you, let me get that, don't worry about it, I got it. Good job, you did that really good" are just some of the helpfulness phrases I hear, daily.
It's just such a positive atmosphere and I think most of the time the guests get that feeling too! I really like being apart of something that strives to make everyone happy, and their day go better. I've seen crabby/cold people turn into happy, talkative people just by a couple key words. You don't even realize until you really look and listen around you.
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