Honor Those in a Service Industry
I just got back from a PERFECT vacation to Alaska on a cruise, train rides, bus rides, hiking, you name it, we packed it in, best that we could!
Everyone who served us, whether on the Royal Caribbean cruiseline or our local bus tour folks, and tour guides, were happy, delighted to share information and stories, point out local flora and fauna, and bring us great meals, along with keeping our cabin beautifully clean.
The staff of the Royal Caribbean "Radiance of the Seas" could not have been better! About 40 of the dining staff even danced for us on the last day and their passion and joy radiated throughout the huge dining rooms! (I didn't get photos, sorry, but sure enjoyed clapping and whistling at the end to show my appreciation). My father-in-law who has done cruises since 1980, said that this was the best one he'd ever been on.
On our last day, our room attendant suggested that if I was happy, to go ahead and fill out the survey that would be e-mailed to me. I did just that and I was superlative in my comments about how well taken care of we were as well as the consistent genuineness of the staff in their willingness to serve us in every way imaginable.
Others were amazing in sharing the passion of their jobs as well.
One of our first trips was after we got to Seward and we went on a six-hour cruise to the Kenai Fjords. The staff of Major Marine Tours were all delightful and fun and worked really hard to give us a grand experience. I took numerous videos, a whale sighting and a video of the staff, grabbing glacial ice which they used moments later for creating margaritas for us. (They even gave me one for free that they said "was an extra one").
Later I sent off the staff video to one of the staff members, "Colleen", whom I immediately connected with because my middle name is Colleen and when I first came on board I mentioned that in a quick conversation with her. It's so easy to make connections if you look for opportunities to do so! She gave me her e-mail address and I'm hoping she enjoyed it. (She's the darling blonde pictured above).
Our conductor on one of the train rides had been doing this for 37 years and he has loved every minute of it. He stopped and talked with the four of us for about 10 minutes until he had to go back and finish the train trip we were on.
When you love what you do, it comes across naturally and serving others is one of the best ways to connect, to give back, and to also appreciate those in other service industries as well. To me, one of the easiest ways to let them know you have gratitude and respect for what they do is to SMILE and say please and thank you!!! Free, universal, and can let them know immediately that you are no better than they are, but are equal humans giving and receiving with grace and gratitude. Tips are certainly welcome, too, We did that consistently as well, but when you show someone respect for what they do, it crosses the lines of communication that may not be understood because of a language barrier or a time when tipping isn't appropriate.
Every person who served us added to making this one of the best vacations my husband and I have ever been on. And when you send out "good", you get it back, twicefold!!!
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