Simply smile

I had two experiences today, on nearly opposite ends of the customer service spectrum.

Scenario one: I drove to our local supermarket to quickly pop in and buy some airtime for my cell phone. I stopped at the lottery and cigarettes counter to avoid the ever-growing queues in the shop. After waiting a few moments, I was (hardly) greeted by a lady wearing a shiny halo of Christmas tinsel but no smile. She duly rang up my purchase, not a word was said or a smile exchanged and I paid and left. Not an experience to remember, nor one to forget. Just the kind of experience we often face and don't give a thought to.

Scenario two: I left the Christmas elf at the cigarette counter and drove to the local library. After choosing a few books (one of my favourite things to do, always so much to choose from!) I decided to hire a documentary on Planet Earth. While paying for the DVD, I was confronted with a cheerful, chatty and smiling librarian. He chatted about the dvd, smiled, made some good comments and I actually enjoyed the experience. I left feeling happy and smiling, definitely a customer-service experience to remember.

It just highlighted to me what a simple smile can do!