So much is going on lately! Kids are so busy doing their things and it seems like at times I am trying to figure out who I am. Nichole is going off to college this fall and it seems weird to think she is that old or even ready for the separation. John is asking to join the Army and I have such mixed emotions regarding this decision. Alanna is getting ready to learn to drive! All of my kids seem to be hitting milestones in their lives and is sure shakes things up!
Nichole has started her own blog and it was her doing so that encouraged me to sit down and make some note of what is going on to at least bring things current. And since I am rarely blogging without cynicism below you will find my dash of mental and verbal Hodge-podge! Hope you enjoy!
I think as far as a social network, this is easier than trying to come up with a Tweet or a post on FB. At least here, I can write the details and provide what information I feel is necessary, walk away, and then return at my own pace. I don't have to check up on all the people who want to be my friend and yet really aren't anymore. How many FB friends do you have, who you actually know would come rescue you from jail? How many of them would you call to tell you were in jail? It is those friends who are the ones who really don't need to communicate with you on FB because they are in your speed dial on your cell phone already!
We all know that on FB, you can post random things that make sense to only a select few of your friends. Those blessed few get the posts about why it might be an issue that England blew up. It might require a little more insight to understand the banter between you and your friends isn't you being in a poor mood, it was all a game. So why must we continue to spill our innermost feelings, opinions, and beliefs on the rest of the uncaring list of FB friends? Do we really think that our post are even read by them or that we are significant enough to not be one of the many friends who have secretly been unfriended or worse yet, have all of our comments hidden?
For those who agree with me, or are so paranoid as to believe you really don't have any friends, blogging is for you! While blogging, at least you don't have to deal with others input, you can say your peace, hit save and you are done, walk away. You don't have to worry about who is following you because you don't have this blaring list telling you who your friends are. And the best reason of all, you don't have to feel obligated to do it every day. One time a week, a month. That is sufficient.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Social Morals/ Values - Driving Ettiquette
Everyone I know has been complaining about the drives around them, lately. Whether it be while they are headed to work, headed home, or just out for a little rest and relaxation. I have heard complaints regarding drivers who choose to ignore your indications of a lane change, drivers who fail to yield and provide the "right of way", and drivers who just plain need to leave their attitudes at home when they get behind the wheel.
I feel maybe now, so close to Christmas, a little reminder is just what the doctor might have ordered, and hopefully, if you get into the habit out of sheer holiday spirit, maybe it will last past the season and you will be set to be nicer, politer, and just overall, more happy with yourself, your drive and with those around you during your commute!
First, in case anyone has forgotten, we will deal with the basics. This is a blinker:
In case you have forgotten, you are supposed to use this to indicate you would like to change lanes or turn. And for the morons who see this, it doesn't mean speed up and close the gap to the car in front of you and not enabling the driver, who was polite enough to notify you of their intent, the opportunity to change lanes. This is the only way a driver can alert the drivers around them of their intent and when you choose to blatantly disregard a blinker or you feel some threat, or maybe you take it personally, you are only increasing the chances you will collide with said driver or cause an accident. When this occurs you haven't gained any advantage. Now you are stuck trying to explain to the other driver and the civil servant why your panties are in a bunch. If you happen to only cause an accident, I hope you know someone saw you and probably got your plate. And for those of you who were smart enough to get that plate, I encourage you to post the info here... http://platewire.com/
Second lesson is regarding the yielding. For those of you who have forgotten people backing up have the right of way. That means when one is attempting to back out of a parking spot, their driveway, or just plain going in reverse (yes, I have been known to do this so I am including it.) other drivers are SUPPOSED to yield. Can you see when you are backing out of a parking spot? I drive a car. Not a big one, not a small one. I live in a suburban town right on top of a massive city. Everyone else seems to have been smarter than me and drive trucks. I can't see over them, I can't see around them, sometimes I can see under them, but when I am backing out of a parking spot, I just can't see you in your small car, big truck, or crossover anxiously looking for a way into or out of the parking lot. For those of you driving through a neighborhood and not heeding the speed limit to begin with, you must remember a drive backing out of their driveway isn't just looking for you. Many of us put the seat belt on right as we are pulling out (I know, not smart, but you all know you are guilty of this, as well). We are also checking, double checking and triple checking to make sure the little kid who lives next door and loves to say "hi" isn't hanging out on the side walk. We are also checking for those less fortunate souls who have to walk everywhere they go. We are doing the look left, look right, and look left again thing (probably several times because we know you will be speeding through the neighborhood).
Their are other places you should yield as well. My favorite has to be getting on and off the freeway. For those of you who need a refresher, this is what a yield sign looks like:
People getting onto the freeway need to remember they have to yield to traffic. However, those of you who feel the need to be rude and not let another driver onto the freeway need to remember you don't live on the freeway and sooner or later, you will need to get off and, more than likely, on again. Exiting the freeway is tricky as well. Those of you who are merging into slower traffic need to remember that yes, you have the "right of way", but don't get off the freeway and expect to immediately fly to the right and pull into that restaurant you were supposed to meet your BFF at 20 minutes ago. Be safe, exit early and make sure you make it to see your BFF.
For those of you who feel the need to use your horn, let me remind you it isn't there for you to play your favorite song with. This is not a drum! The horn is a safety devise. It is used as a last ditch effort to alert a fellow driver they are not focused on the task at hand. Not to "yell" at the driver who indicated, well in advance, they were making a lane change into your lane. If you don't like my rear, change lanes. It is rude and obnoxious to lay on your horn because the driver in front of you chose the exact moment the light turned red to look over at their neighbor and wave. Or maybe that was when the babe in front of you got a spec of fluff in their eye and needed to make sure they could see where they were going. Allow your neighbor a moment then provide them with a short, gentle honk.
My favorite rude drivers have to be the ones who love hand gestures. I realize you might be mad. I realize you chose to epitomize the Grinch this year, and I realize maybe you were out of milk that morning, but is this any reason to wave your hands, displaying one or multiple fingers in an attempt to communicate with your neighbor? I hope it makes you feel better to know you just shot the bird at a 16 year old who just started driving 6 weeks ago. Do you feel better knowing that pretty girl who was making fun of you and offended you was only 14? I am sure we are all mature enough to allow a little mistake by one driver pass without having to stoop to junior high school maturity and flash hand signs at people.
One more issue I would like to address...bumper stickers. I love them. Some of them are so creative and each one has their unique expression that perfectly sums up your personality.
Is there some reason we must use profanity?? When my children were growing up, they read the bumper stickers. I always worried I would get stuck behind that immature person who was unable to express themselves intellectually without using profanity. Once I modified a curse word when my child asked what something meant in an effort to shield them from the social disgrace. I realize some of you are shouting Freedom of Speech and by all means, I encourage you to speak. Use your profanity and prove how ignorant you are. Or you could be creative and get your message across intellectually where people will listen to what you have to say. We might even like your bumper sticker so much we buy one of our own and contribute to your cause as well!
So fellow drivers, please remember that as you climb into your beautiful ride, your crappy hooptie (that may not actually get you where you are planning to go) that if you set out in the right mood, choose to be a little more patient, and follow the laws of driving, you could make the experience much more enjoyable for yourself, as well as your fellow drivers. Happy driving, and don't forget to way to that nice person who blessed you with the ability to get where you were going a little easier!
I feel maybe now, so close to Christmas, a little reminder is just what the doctor might have ordered, and hopefully, if you get into the habit out of sheer holiday spirit, maybe it will last past the season and you will be set to be nicer, politer, and just overall, more happy with yourself, your drive and with those around you during your commute!
First, in case anyone has forgotten, we will deal with the basics. This is a blinker:
In case you have forgotten, you are supposed to use this to indicate you would like to change lanes or turn. And for the morons who see this, it doesn't mean speed up and close the gap to the car in front of you and not enabling the driver, who was polite enough to notify you of their intent, the opportunity to change lanes. This is the only way a driver can alert the drivers around them of their intent and when you choose to blatantly disregard a blinker or you feel some threat, or maybe you take it personally, you are only increasing the chances you will collide with said driver or cause an accident. When this occurs you haven't gained any advantage. Now you are stuck trying to explain to the other driver and the civil servant why your panties are in a bunch. If you happen to only cause an accident, I hope you know someone saw you and probably got your plate. And for those of you who were smart enough to get that plate, I encourage you to post the info here... http://platewire.com/ Second lesson is regarding the yielding. For those of you who have forgotten people backing up have the right of way. That means when one is attempting to back out of a parking spot, their driveway, or just plain going in reverse (yes, I have been known to do this so I am including it.) other drivers are SUPPOSED to yield. Can you see when you are backing out of a parking spot? I drive a car. Not a big one, not a small one. I live in a suburban town right on top of a massive city. Everyone else seems to have been smarter than me and drive trucks. I can't see over them, I can't see around them, sometimes I can see under them, but when I am backing out of a parking spot, I just can't see you in your small car, big truck, or crossover anxiously looking for a way into or out of the parking lot. For those of you driving through a neighborhood and not heeding the speed limit to begin with, you must remember a drive backing out of their driveway isn't just looking for you. Many of us put the seat belt on right as we are pulling out (I know, not smart, but you all know you are guilty of this, as well). We are also checking, double checking and triple checking to make sure the little kid who lives next door and loves to say "hi" isn't hanging out on the side walk. We are also checking for those less fortunate souls who have to walk everywhere they go. We are doing the look left, look right, and look left again thing (probably several times because we know you will be speeding through the neighborhood).
Their are other places you should yield as well. My favorite has to be getting on and off the freeway. For those of you who need a refresher, this is what a yield sign looks like:
People getting onto the freeway need to remember they have to yield to traffic. However, those of you who feel the need to be rude and not let another driver onto the freeway need to remember you don't live on the freeway and sooner or later, you will need to get off and, more than likely, on again. Exiting the freeway is tricky as well. Those of you who are merging into slower traffic need to remember that yes, you have the "right of way", but don't get off the freeway and expect to immediately fly to the right and pull into that restaurant you were supposed to meet your BFF at 20 minutes ago. Be safe, exit early and make sure you make it to see your BFF.For those of you who feel the need to use your horn, let me remind you it isn't there for you to play your favorite song with. This is not a drum! The horn is a safety devise. It is used as a last ditch effort to alert a fellow driver they are not focused on the task at hand. Not to "yell" at the driver who indicated, well in advance, they were making a lane change into your lane. If you don't like my rear, change lanes. It is rude and obnoxious to lay on your horn because the driver in front of you chose the exact moment the light turned red to look over at their neighbor and wave. Or maybe that was when the babe in front of you got a spec of fluff in their eye and needed to make sure they could see where they were going. Allow your neighbor a moment then provide them with a short, gentle honk.
My favorite rude drivers have to be the ones who love hand gestures. I realize you might be mad. I realize you chose to epitomize the Grinch this year, and I realize maybe you were out of milk that morning, but is this any reason to wave your hands, displaying one or multiple fingers in an attempt to communicate with your neighbor? I hope it makes you feel better to know you just shot the bird at a 16 year old who just started driving 6 weeks ago. Do you feel better knowing that pretty girl who was making fun of you and offended you was only 14? I am sure we are all mature enough to allow a little mistake by one driver pass without having to stoop to junior high school maturity and flash hand signs at people.
One more issue I would like to address...bumper stickers. I love them. Some of them are so creative and each one has their unique expression that perfectly sums up your personality.
Is there some reason we must use profanity?? When my children were growing up, they read the bumper stickers. I always worried I would get stuck behind that immature person who was unable to express themselves intellectually without using profanity. Once I modified a curse word when my child asked what something meant in an effort to shield them from the social disgrace. I realize some of you are shouting Freedom of Speech and by all means, I encourage you to speak. Use your profanity and prove how ignorant you are. Or you could be creative and get your message across intellectually where people will listen to what you have to say. We might even like your bumper sticker so much we buy one of our own and contribute to your cause as well!So fellow drivers, please remember that as you climb into your beautiful ride, your crappy hooptie (that may not actually get you where you are planning to go) that if you set out in the right mood, choose to be a little more patient, and follow the laws of driving, you could make the experience much more enjoyable for yourself, as well as your fellow drivers. Happy driving, and don't forget to way to that nice person who blessed you with the ability to get where you were going a little easier!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
House Match!
In an effort to spend more time keeping this up, I am back. I am in one of those moods where I am bouncing off the walls in joy. We are moving!
For anyone who doesn't know, we have been in an apartment for two years and it has to be the crummiest way to live. If you are ever desirous of being stacked on top of people like sardines, where you are able to hear people going to the bathroom, shaving, arguing, or just plain living, then apartment life must be for you. It is definitely not for me! I am so tired of listening to other people live their lives around me and so completely tired of living my life knowing that other people hear me living, that moving is actually looking like something I WANT to do.
I am actually for the first time in my life relishing the upcoming packing, unpacking, lifting, arguing with people and sweating my buns off! I don't seem to care if no one gets along because I will be happy knowing it is all to be back in a house. I don't even mind the sweating as we will be moving and it not be around Thanksgiving! (Inside joke)
Moving will also allow me to do a little spring cleaning. I have been doing this slowly but surely, but I can only imagine all the junk I will come across that will get disposed of in some form. I imagine that we will also find stuff we thought was long lost and be excited to find as if Christmas had come early!
Even with all the trials that have occurred in the process of locating the perfect place for us, I must say that it was worth it. The let downs that we have encountered through the process of finding a house, have made us both appreciate this house more and the experience feels ten times better knowing we made it through. I can't wait to share more news with you from our house and I can't wait to share the experiences that we have while there. And even more so, I can't wait to have my family and friends there to share in our joy, so start planning the house warming, or in our case cooling since it will be so darn hot anyway!
For anyone who doesn't know, we have been in an apartment for two years and it has to be the crummiest way to live. If you are ever desirous of being stacked on top of people like sardines, where you are able to hear people going to the bathroom, shaving, arguing, or just plain living, then apartment life must be for you. It is definitely not for me! I am so tired of listening to other people live their lives around me and so completely tired of living my life knowing that other people hear me living, that moving is actually looking like something I WANT to do.
I am actually for the first time in my life relishing the upcoming packing, unpacking, lifting, arguing with people and sweating my buns off! I don't seem to care if no one gets along because I will be happy knowing it is all to be back in a house. I don't even mind the sweating as we will be moving and it not be around Thanksgiving! (Inside joke)
Moving will also allow me to do a little spring cleaning. I have been doing this slowly but surely, but I can only imagine all the junk I will come across that will get disposed of in some form. I imagine that we will also find stuff we thought was long lost and be excited to find as if Christmas had come early!
Even with all the trials that have occurred in the process of locating the perfect place for us, I must say that it was worth it. The let downs that we have encountered through the process of finding a house, have made us both appreciate this house more and the experience feels ten times better knowing we made it through. I can't wait to share more news with you from our house and I can't wait to share the experiences that we have while there. And even more so, I can't wait to have my family and friends there to share in our joy, so start planning the house warming, or in our case cooling since it will be so darn hot anyway!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Finding Time to Blog
Why is it the average person doesn't seem to blog regularly? I was reading a friends blog for the first time today and noticed they blogged in spurts. Of course, then I thought about my own blog and was mentally smacking myself for not blogging more often. This of course, made me wonder why the average person doesn't blog more regularly and I started to evaluate my own reasons.
I have spent the last three months looking for a place to move. Mind you, our lease doesn't expire until the end of July, but I have been so ready to move for the last eight months, that I started early and wanted to have all my proverbial ducks in a row. This has required most of my extra time and therefore, all of it has been spent scouring the Internet looking for just the right place. And my diligence has paid off!
Of course, we have to factor in the long hours at work. I work full time and I rarely have "down" time at work and am unable to spend time surfing the Internet and accomplishing all the necessary tasks at work. (Hmmm, you think I get paid to surf?) When I am not working my regular 40 a week, I tend to work OT and that is always nice when the check comes in seeing that I do not get paid to blog...yet!
Then of course, after that hour long drive home, I have all the wife/mommy responsibilities. You know cleaning, cooking, and spending time with the family. I am not the average person; I like spending time with my kids and husband. I also like having a clean home and cooking, but never to excess!
By the time you climb into bed half asleep already at 10:30 there is little time to blog. With summer here, and the kids away for a couple weeks, I have managed to find more time doing some of the things I rarely find time for. It has also helped that lately, my wonderful husband has taken to performing some of the required activities at home. I have felt very blessed to have some spare time and am obliged to make note of that so he knows how much I appreciate him. After all, the only way he truly knows how to communicate is with a computer, but that is another blog in itself!
I have spent the last three months looking for a place to move. Mind you, our lease doesn't expire until the end of July, but I have been so ready to move for the last eight months, that I started early and wanted to have all my proverbial ducks in a row. This has required most of my extra time and therefore, all of it has been spent scouring the Internet looking for just the right place. And my diligence has paid off!
Of course, we have to factor in the long hours at work. I work full time and I rarely have "down" time at work and am unable to spend time surfing the Internet and accomplishing all the necessary tasks at work. (Hmmm, you think I get paid to surf?) When I am not working my regular 40 a week, I tend to work OT and that is always nice when the check comes in seeing that I do not get paid to blog...yet!
Then of course, after that hour long drive home, I have all the wife/mommy responsibilities. You know cleaning, cooking, and spending time with the family. I am not the average person; I like spending time with my kids and husband. I also like having a clean home and cooking, but never to excess!
By the time you climb into bed half asleep already at 10:30 there is little time to blog. With summer here, and the kids away for a couple weeks, I have managed to find more time doing some of the things I rarely find time for. It has also helped that lately, my wonderful husband has taken to performing some of the required activities at home. I have felt very blessed to have some spare time and am obliged to make note of that so he knows how much I appreciate him. After all, the only way he truly knows how to communicate is with a computer, but that is another blog in itself!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Alanna's First Tournament
I haven't had time to post lately. I realize it has been several months since I actually found the time to put my thoughts somewhere. I have had a lot of time to take care of things, but it never seems as though I have the time to empty some of the mental clutter. I have had a lot of personal stuff going on and for once, it seems that work isn't the cause of my mental anxiety.
Today is my anniversary and the only thing I wanted to do today was to do nothing. Sit on my bum and just veg out. And I have done all I wanted to accomplish. My house is neat, my clothes are clean and I have taken a nap (and what a glorious nap it was!), and I have sat on my bum and I have vegged out!
Just a few simple updates and I will close this so I can at least say I made an attempt to write something and I will attempt to keep up with this more often. Let's see, Jay is actually home and scheduled to be home all week. Job is great and I am looking forward to all the great things that will be coming in the future with that.
And last and most important, Alanna was in a speech tournament this weekend. She is in the sixth grade and was the only sixth grader participating from her school. She performed in the poetry category which requires her to read a poem (The Entertainer) within the allotted time frame. She received First Place and I am so proud of her and also feel as though she deserves it. I sat in on the Semi-Finals and Finals rounds and although most people would believe that I am being impartial, I assure you that I was rather confident she would proceed through the Semi-Finals, I wasn't as confident that she would win the Finals round, but was confident that she would place. I was so stressed over this, yet I also knew she had the potential to win and was so excited and nervous for her that I was just as sick as if it were I who had to stand before the judges and perform.
I am so PROUD of her!
Today is my anniversary and the only thing I wanted to do today was to do nothing. Sit on my bum and just veg out. And I have done all I wanted to accomplish. My house is neat, my clothes are clean and I have taken a nap (and what a glorious nap it was!), and I have sat on my bum and I have vegged out!
Just a few simple updates and I will close this so I can at least say I made an attempt to write something and I will attempt to keep up with this more often. Let's see, Jay is actually home and scheduled to be home all week. Job is great and I am looking forward to all the great things that will be coming in the future with that.
And last and most important, Alanna was in a speech tournament this weekend. She is in the sixth grade and was the only sixth grader participating from her school. She performed in the poetry category which requires her to read a poem (The Entertainer) within the allotted time frame. She received First Place and I am so proud of her and also feel as though she deserves it. I sat in on the Semi-Finals and Finals rounds and although most people would believe that I am being impartial, I assure you that I was rather confident she would proceed through the Semi-Finals, I wasn't as confident that she would win the Finals round, but was confident that she would place. I was so stressed over this, yet I also knew she had the potential to win and was so excited and nervous for her that I was just as sick as if it were I who had to stand before the judges and perform.
I am so PROUD of her!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Customer Service vs. Courtesy
Everytime I am in a store these days, I seem to ask the same question. Is it the employees who don't seem to care or is it the management who just isn't able to enforce decent service? Maybe, it is even the company who is more worried about profits, that they do not encourage decent management, therefore, decent employees who provide customer service that is acceptable.
I remember when the area that you sought out help was called the Courtesy Desk. This was where you were able to ask for assistance if you needed it, complain if you felt like it, or give praise when you felt it was due. You took care of your returns here (and people didn't look at you like you were insane for returning something), you also were able to get items gift wrapped in many stores. Now it is called Customer Service.
Isn't it funny how just changing the name makes it seem worse? Not that it is worse, except we have come to view customer service as lines longer than need be, full of complains, and people viewing us as thieves or demons when we use the Customer Service Desk. We don't even view the words Customer Service as we should. Customer Service can mean getting hung up on, put on eternal hold, speaking with someone you can't understand, and worse yet someone who is reading a script when you have a problem because they also have no idea how to fix things. Those words can cause some people to start having palpitations, extreme sweats, and dizzy spells these days. (I know, I am one of them!)
I remember when the area that you sought out help was called the Courtesy Desk. This was where you were able to ask for assistance if you needed it, complain if you felt like it, or give praise when you felt it was due. You took care of your returns here (and people didn't look at you like you were insane for returning something), you also were able to get items gift wrapped in many stores. Now it is called Customer Service.
Isn't it funny how just changing the name makes it seem worse? Not that it is worse, except we have come to view customer service as lines longer than need be, full of complains, and people viewing us as thieves or demons when we use the Customer Service Desk. We don't even view the words Customer Service as we should. Customer Service can mean getting hung up on, put on eternal hold, speaking with someone you can't understand, and worse yet someone who is reading a script when you have a problem because they also have no idea how to fix things. Those words can cause some people to start having palpitations, extreme sweats, and dizzy spells these days. (I know, I am one of them!)
I am of the opinion that as a society, we allow this to happen. We have raised or children to care more about what they want, instead of encouraging them to care about others. We have been discouraged from complaining, and requiring better quality and better service. We are in such a hurry, as a society, that we do not take the time to realize what we desire, could be accomplished by a little giving.
Giving may be done in many different versions. Giving a manager a piece of our minds telling them that they have faulty employees or faulty systems. Giving a letter to the company telling them how we have been wronged. Giving the finger when we are frustrated and perturbed. Yet, have we considered the aspect of giving praise?
We all enjoy praise and the best way to get good service is by giving an employee encouragement for a job well done! We are all aware that when we have experienced something we dislike we complain. Whether it be via the manager, a phone call, or a letter. How many of us stop to give praise? By giving praise, you start a process.
Do you think the employee will remember you out of the 20 other customers who had a problem today? Probably not. By giving praise you stand out and the employee remembers you. The next time you appear, they will be calmer and more willing to go out of their way to help you because you are a much more pleasant person to deal with than the next angry customer. Also, try smiling! A smile has been proven to relax people. It will relax you as well as the people around you.
If we changed out outlook and tried to be friendlier and smiled more, would it make a difference? There is a part of me that says yes and a part of me that says no. How many of us would it take to change the way things are? I believe I have proven that by being polite and keeping my temper under control, I tend to receive more, than when I loose my temper.
I have changed the way I speak to my kids and hope to change the way they speak to each other and other. I try very hard to give them praise where it is do and make sure that they give praise to each other instead of speaking so mean when they are mad. Don't get me wrong. It is difficult to keep things cheery and happy when everything around you seems to be battleing against you.
I have quit shopping with certain companies or certain locations and taking my business to companies who provide service that I feel is acceptable. By doing this, we can shift the profits of one company to another, and by doing so show people that we expect courtesy. I realize that there are very few companies who actually provide acceptable levels of service, by using the companies who provide service at a level above the current average, sooner or later someone will get the idea that we desire a better level.
There are several commercials out there that have the message of doing something nice and how it is passed on or "paid forward". These commercials make me feel good, because it is nice to know that I am not the only one who thinks this way. The theory is that if you do a good deed and someone sees you doing it, it will encourage that person or someone else to do a good dead in turn. This logic should be applied and when you see a good samaratin, you should in turn perform your good deed.
Who knows, the next good deed you perform could be the one changing customer back to courtesy and making the world a better place for everyone!
Giving may be done in many different versions. Giving a manager a piece of our minds telling them that they have faulty employees or faulty systems. Giving a letter to the company telling them how we have been wronged. Giving the finger when we are frustrated and perturbed. Yet, have we considered the aspect of giving praise?
We all enjoy praise and the best way to get good service is by giving an employee encouragement for a job well done! We are all aware that when we have experienced something we dislike we complain. Whether it be via the manager, a phone call, or a letter. How many of us stop to give praise? By giving praise, you start a process.
Do you think the employee will remember you out of the 20 other customers who had a problem today? Probably not. By giving praise you stand out and the employee remembers you. The next time you appear, they will be calmer and more willing to go out of their way to help you because you are a much more pleasant person to deal with than the next angry customer. Also, try smiling! A smile has been proven to relax people. It will relax you as well as the people around you.
If we changed out outlook and tried to be friendlier and smiled more, would it make a difference? There is a part of me that says yes and a part of me that says no. How many of us would it take to change the way things are? I believe I have proven that by being polite and keeping my temper under control, I tend to receive more, than when I loose my temper.
I have changed the way I speak to my kids and hope to change the way they speak to each other and other. I try very hard to give them praise where it is do and make sure that they give praise to each other instead of speaking so mean when they are mad. Don't get me wrong. It is difficult to keep things cheery and happy when everything around you seems to be battleing against you.
I have quit shopping with certain companies or certain locations and taking my business to companies who provide service that I feel is acceptable. By doing this, we can shift the profits of one company to another, and by doing so show people that we expect courtesy. I realize that there are very few companies who actually provide acceptable levels of service, by using the companies who provide service at a level above the current average, sooner or later someone will get the idea that we desire a better level.
There are several commercials out there that have the message of doing something nice and how it is passed on or "paid forward". These commercials make me feel good, because it is nice to know that I am not the only one who thinks this way. The theory is that if you do a good deed and someone sees you doing it, it will encourage that person or someone else to do a good dead in turn. This logic should be applied and when you see a good samaratin, you should in turn perform your good deed.
Who knows, the next good deed you perform could be the one changing customer back to courtesy and making the world a better place for everyone!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Birth of this Blogger
There are so many things that I think about, I have decided to place them somewhere I can get feed back. It isn't that I have questions that I want answered, but that I wonder if other people feel the same way I do. My opinions and beliefs don't seem that different, but if more people felt the same way I did, there would be comfort in knowing that maybe the world isn't the same depressing place that I see in the news everyday.
On the pretense that anyone actually happens to read this I figure they will want to know about the person writing it. I am a 33 year old mother of three. I am divorced once and remarried. I have a high school education and live in Texas. I feel that I am level-headed and yet there are times where I question that statement. I am employed full time and I am sure that plenty of blogs will follow regarding work and the ethics of it.
I have no intentions of limiting my thoughts to a single aspect. There will be political thoughts, family issues, I am sure marital rants, social issues, religious issues, and medical thoughts that are brought up in my blog.
I must also admit that until this afternoon I had never even considered blogging. It was this afternoon when I was mulling over a question in my head and wondering if I was over-reacting or if I actually had a reason to feel the way I did, that I thought about a web blog. It is also something that I think as my children grow they will find interesting to read. It is also because of my children that I considered a blog. I have a child in another country for the next two weeks and felt that if I had started this blog, she would be able to see how I feel and know that I was thinking of her regularly.
So for all these reasons, I have chosen to start a blog and continue it in the hopes of finding other people out there who view things similarly and even people who think I am insane and chose to tell me so. After all, this is America and we all have the freedom of speech!
On the pretense that anyone actually happens to read this I figure they will want to know about the person writing it. I am a 33 year old mother of three. I am divorced once and remarried. I have a high school education and live in Texas. I feel that I am level-headed and yet there are times where I question that statement. I am employed full time and I am sure that plenty of blogs will follow regarding work and the ethics of it.
I have no intentions of limiting my thoughts to a single aspect. There will be political thoughts, family issues, I am sure marital rants, social issues, religious issues, and medical thoughts that are brought up in my blog.
I must also admit that until this afternoon I had never even considered blogging. It was this afternoon when I was mulling over a question in my head and wondering if I was over-reacting or if I actually had a reason to feel the way I did, that I thought about a web blog. It is also something that I think as my children grow they will find interesting to read. It is also because of my children that I considered a blog. I have a child in another country for the next two weeks and felt that if I had started this blog, she would be able to see how I feel and know that I was thinking of her regularly.
So for all these reasons, I have chosen to start a blog and continue it in the hopes of finding other people out there who view things similarly and even people who think I am insane and chose to tell me so. After all, this is America and we all have the freedom of speech!
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