I don't understand the recent fad of putting "In Memory of.." stickers or decals on cars and car windows.
So your attempt at honoring a loved one is plastering their name all over your P.O.S. car? How much is that memory going to be worth when you decide it's time to buy a new vehicle and sell that one? How honored to you really think that person is to be remembered in that way, with an entirely temporary device?
This follows in line with all the roadside memorials you see where someone had an accident and lost their life. Yes, the loss of life is terrible, but do you really want to remember where someone died? Or the fact of their death?
For me personally I'd rather remember how someone lived, and treasure the memories that I have shared with that person. A marker on the side of the road, or a cheesy sticker on a windshield, would simply cheapen those memories and remind me more of how they died, rather then how they lived.
You want to remember me? Then remember me dammit! Don't insult me with some temporary decal that's going to be scraped off later, or a marker of where I died. How I die is of little importance to me, how I choose to live makes all the difference.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Hotel Etiquette
Some people seriously just don't know how to act at all, or they believe for some reason that they are special and don't have to be polite.It's just very aggravating, so I thought I might come up with a list of rules on how to act in a hotel, but I'm fairly sure these can be applied to most places that deal with the public.
1) Respect is a two-way street. Coming at the clerk with an attitude is only going to get that attitude reflected back at you. Yes, we understand there is a problem with the room, give us a chance to correct the problem before you decide that we did it to you on purpose. Most hotel clerks don't get paid much, so their patience in dealing with people that think they're rock stars is pretty thin.
2) Unless you are paying for a 4 star hotel, don't expect 4 star services. Seriously, the level of service is defined by how much YOU pay, not how much you think you deserve. Got in on a coupon rate, don't expect the hotel staff to be bending over backward. We'll help you, just don't go making ridiculous demands of our time or patience. Also understand that most hotels don't keep a full staff on hand 24 hrs a day, the clerk you think should come handle your problem RIGHT NOW could very likely be the only person working, and it's likely that they might have other issues to deal with, be patient.
3) Free services are just that, free. If you're not getting them why in the world would you expect a discount? YOU'RE NOT PAYING FOR THE DAMN THING IN THE FIRST PLACE! Also, if there is something you just absolutely have to have, make sure the hotel provides it before checking in. Waiting until you've already taken a shower, etc, to call down to the desk is not doing you any favors. And chances are you'll be stuck with paying for the room at that point regardless.
4) When you've made a reservation, double check it to make sure it's what you want and review the cancellation policy. If you book a room then see a lower priced on on your way to that hotel you may be out of luck if their cancellation policy doesn't allow for same day cancellation.
5) When negotiating room rate, DO try to bring up any discounts before agreeing to the rate and getting the clerk started on booking you. I've had plenty of people, after I've gotten them into the system and they're good to go, suddenly remember their AAA or other discount. Also keep in mind that the clerk might actually be giving you a better discount than what you might have gotten online or otherwise.
6) HAVE YOUR I.D. READY. And make sure it's valid, and matches the credit card you intend to pay with, if that's your chosen method of payment. We have to have the information off the ID to book you into a room, and for credit cards we HAVE to make sure it's yours. Trying to use someone else's credit card isn't going to get you into the room. Most hotels REQUIRE prior authorization for it, and no a voice on a phone is not proof enough. Stop getting mad about it, we are protecting your sorry ass. You really should be thankful that we do check IDs, because I'll bet you'd be pretty angry if someone stole it and we didn't.
7) Towels in the room are NOT for washing your vehicle. Period.
8) If you can't afford the pet charge, leave the little critter at home. I don't care if it only weighs five pounds, I still have to charge you for it. And don't lie about it, if I catch you it's only going to make me less inclined to be nice.
Seriously, I don't care what your deal is, if you're nice to me I'm much more likely to be nice to you.
1) Respect is a two-way street. Coming at the clerk with an attitude is only going to get that attitude reflected back at you. Yes, we understand there is a problem with the room, give us a chance to correct the problem before you decide that we did it to you on purpose. Most hotel clerks don't get paid much, so their patience in dealing with people that think they're rock stars is pretty thin.
2) Unless you are paying for a 4 star hotel, don't expect 4 star services. Seriously, the level of service is defined by how much YOU pay, not how much you think you deserve. Got in on a coupon rate, don't expect the hotel staff to be bending over backward. We'll help you, just don't go making ridiculous demands of our time or patience. Also understand that most hotels don't keep a full staff on hand 24 hrs a day, the clerk you think should come handle your problem RIGHT NOW could very likely be the only person working, and it's likely that they might have other issues to deal with, be patient.
3) Free services are just that, free. If you're not getting them why in the world would you expect a discount? YOU'RE NOT PAYING FOR THE DAMN THING IN THE FIRST PLACE! Also, if there is something you just absolutely have to have, make sure the hotel provides it before checking in. Waiting until you've already taken a shower, etc, to call down to the desk is not doing you any favors. And chances are you'll be stuck with paying for the room at that point regardless.
4) When you've made a reservation, double check it to make sure it's what you want and review the cancellation policy. If you book a room then see a lower priced on on your way to that hotel you may be out of luck if their cancellation policy doesn't allow for same day cancellation.
5) When negotiating room rate, DO try to bring up any discounts before agreeing to the rate and getting the clerk started on booking you. I've had plenty of people, after I've gotten them into the system and they're good to go, suddenly remember their AAA or other discount. Also keep in mind that the clerk might actually be giving you a better discount than what you might have gotten online or otherwise.
6) HAVE YOUR I.D. READY. And make sure it's valid, and matches the credit card you intend to pay with, if that's your chosen method of payment. We have to have the information off the ID to book you into a room, and for credit cards we HAVE to make sure it's yours. Trying to use someone else's credit card isn't going to get you into the room. Most hotels REQUIRE prior authorization for it, and no a voice on a phone is not proof enough. Stop getting mad about it, we are protecting your sorry ass. You really should be thankful that we do check IDs, because I'll bet you'd be pretty angry if someone stole it and we didn't.
7) Towels in the room are NOT for washing your vehicle. Period.
8) If you can't afford the pet charge, leave the little critter at home. I don't care if it only weighs five pounds, I still have to charge you for it. And don't lie about it, if I catch you it's only going to make me less inclined to be nice.
Seriously, I don't care what your deal is, if you're nice to me I'm much more likely to be nice to you.
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