Well, It’s Good For The Company. Recently, and while the “RV People” were in town, I accessed the drive-through at one of our local fast food places. I won’t name this popular establishment, but I will tell you that it proudly proclaims, “Fastest Drive-Through in Town”. This was at about 7 p.m. My question to the employee as I paid at the first window: “Have you been busy, today”? Her response: “Since 11 this morning”. My next statement: “That’s good, isn’t it”? Her response: “Well, it’s good for the company”. When she returned with my change, I finally got her to reluctantly admit that what was good for the company was good for her. Still, I don’t think she actually believed it. Sad.
Move Your Wallet. This about another place in Perry that I frequent - more than once a week. It’s a great business owned by fine people. I filled my car with gas (what, $3.27 a gallon?) and wanted to access the car wash. The automatic opportunity was not automatic - I wasn’t given this option by the gas machine. I went outside and informed the cashier of my desire for a five dollar car wash as I removed my billfold from my pocket and placed it in my hand on the counter. Without any explanation, and in a very monotone voice, the clerk instructed, “Move your wallet”. “What?” “I said move your wallet!”, now in an aggravated tone. You see, what I was doing was covering the sign on the counter that apparently gives you a choice of two different kinds of five dollar washes. “Didn’t mean to make you mad,” I said as I paid my five dollars and exited the building with my receipt and wash code in my offending hand. Again, sad.
No Problem Is A Problem. While I’m fussing, let me tell you of one of my pet peeves. It’s: “No Problem”. I hear it frequently, but most recently, it was from a young person (most times, it is) who took a purchased bag of fish pond feed and put it on my pickup. “Thank you” was my remark, followed by his “no problem”. Well, I didn’t ever consider it to be a problem - he was just doing his job. To say, “no problem” implies to me that there might have been a problem or that the possibility of a problem was considered. Perhaps I’m the one who needs to change. Maybe I’m the problem. I think I’ll start saying, “I hope it was not a problem for you to put the feed on my truck,” or, “I hope it was not a problem for you to take my money and give me my change”. What happened to, “you’re welcome” or, “glad to do it”? If I had a retail store and I heard an employee using “no problem,” I would try to stop them from using this term. I guess “no problem” is better than no response, but, it’s not much better.
Good For Chick-Fil-A. I realize that in many instances people working in fast food places and convenience stores are not highly compensated and some have not had good training (if any) at home as to basic manners and how to properly deal with people. Still, there is one store that seems to get it right and consistently so. As you can see from the caption, my opinion is very positive of Chick-Fil-A and its people. I’m sure that when you have as many employees as does Chick-Fil-A, there are problems. Still, all in all, the service is good and the employees are very courteous. My main experience is with David Grossnickle’s store here in Perry where the food is always good and the people working there are always nice. And, there is always a big crowd ordering and eating. Congratulations, David and also to you, Truett Cathy. Perhaps the fact that Mr. Cathy lets everyone off on Sunday puts ‘em in a better mood. Actually, the real reasons are probably selective hirings and good training. And, I’m glad they don’t say, when they hand you what you ordered, “We’ll see you tomorrow”. Janice likes this. I don’t. I think it sounds affected or feigned. But, I’ll admit, it’s better than “no problem”.
Hire ‘Em From Dairy Farms. A man once told me, if you want an excellent employee, find a young man or woman who grew up and worked on a dairy farm. I guess the same would apply to a chicken farm. Unfortunately, there are not many dairy farms left, and all the young people who worked on them already have jobs - and good ones at that.
General Courtney Hodges Blvd. The General would be proud - traffic is really picking up. I suspect that the new businesses, Me Me’s Country Buffet, Cool Breeze Pools and Spa, The Downtown Gardener, Church’s Fried Chicken, and Hoke’s Heating and Air have lots to do with it. Then there are those older and “doing business” firms like Dairy Queen, Tires Plus, Grant-Myers, Little’s Bait & Tackle & Pawn, and Perry Pawn Shop. And what about Utility Services’ beautiful new building and all the activity that business generates? Courtney Hodges Blvd. is no Sam Nunn Blvd., yet, but it’s getting there. Anticipated improvements, and supposedly soon, are going to help even more.
Foy. I believe Foy Evans would have enjoyed this column and would have agreed with every word of it. I hope he did.
