Today's post is about customer appreciation and customer service.   It's something that's been on my mind lately, and I figured this is as good a place as any to mention.  Personally, I try to treat all my customers the way I would like to be treated.  I treat them like family and friends, or at least I try to. 

Honestly, I'm not sure if I try treat all my customers the way that I would like to be treated, or if I expect the same level of customer service that I would give.   Sometimes that line gets a little blurred.  I've seen far too much bad in this world to not try and make it good whenever I can.

No matter what we do, we are always trying to sell ourselves.  I learned that a long time ago.  It doesn't matter what you do, it can be related to customer service.   If I had a Sergeant in my line who wanted a 3 egg omelette (not an option, by the way) I had to find a way to tactfully tell my superior that it was not an option.   Fortunately for me, at least in the USMC I had protocol that I could fall back on. 

After that I worked various odd jobs before, during, and after college.  From movie theater usher to Cutco knife salesman every single job had something to do with customer service, and customer appreciation.  Few things matter to me more than customer service. 

We all have our days, both customer and service member, both good and bad.  The important thing I try to remember as a customer is that it's not the person serving me's fault.  As someone doing customer service I try to remember that if a customer is upset or angry that there are ways to diffuse it.  Fortunately since I've gone into business for myself I haven't had any upset customers, but working in the movie theater, and at the museum we got some odd calls every now and then.

This is going to be a short one this week, but all I ask folks is that we respect one another.  On both sides of the phone, desk, counter, and/or handshake.