One habit that I truly need to break is going to McDonald's. Not only is it potentially clogging my arteries, currently adding extra pounds to my hips but I am increasingly growing annoyed with the apparent lack of sound customer service training for the folks that work at these wonderful establishments. While I am somewhat ashamed to admit it, I have patronized quite a few fast food restaurants and the common thread that I have found weaving through the very fabric of these places is the absence of good customer service. Sadly, it is not just found there,this is also happening in retail and grocery stores.
On my way home one evening I decided to order some snacks from McDonald's (I am a sucker for their fries!) When I pulled up to the speaker to place my order, there was silence. No big deal, that would just give me a moment to get my order together. A few moments passed and still silence. So I polietly said, "Hello?" And the reply was a sharp, "Just a moment" as if I was disturbing the flow of the restaurant or somehow bothering them and now they had work to do. A few moments later I was told "go ahead with your order". I ordered and pulled to the second window as I was instructed. I gave the cashier my money and a smile and all I received in return was a raggedy receipt! As I pulled up to the next window to receive my food, the bag was thrust out of the window accompanied by "here you go". As I drove away I wondered to myself here you go?
WHAT?!?
Do these people realize that they are selling SERVICE? Not merely merchandise or food. But the brand, the store name, an experience? Would it kill some of these folks to smile, show a faint sense of happiness? I mean gee-whiz no one forced these people to apply for a job where you have to deal with people.
Now, that is not to say that all people who work in these places are bad. I have actually had some wonderful experiences. One time in particular, the mananger at Popeyes's treated me and my family as if we had walked into her kitchen at home to share a meal at her table. Needless to say I was extremely pleased and I even called customer service to sing the praises of Popeye's Chicken!Oh how I long for more moments like those! Instead of the norm being grumpy, sassy,and full of attitude.
My father used to say that we could make burgers at home. I am serouly thinking of taking his advice. (But I'll keeping buying those fries!)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Merchandising of Obama
Today I promised my son that he could watch the Ohio State/Michigan game at a friends house. As we were driving there, we both noticed a man in the vehicle next to us with a knitted cap on. It didn't seem weird to either one of us that this man was wearing a hat. It is about 25 degrees outside today. What caught our attention was the word "OBAMA" silkscreened randomly all over the hat. My 15year old son turned to me and said, "Mom do you think that President-Elect Obama gets any of that money that people make from putting his name everywhere and on everything?"
I had to pause for a moment.
The thought had actually crossed my mind several times, during the primaries and the election seasons. I saw buttons,t-shirts, purses, towels, wristbands, umbrellas, you name it. If it could be painted,written, or silkscreened on and sold believe you me these people did it. I couldn't help wondering though if the campaign saw any share of the money that these vendors were raking in.
When Obama came to Toledo in March, my mother was bold enough to ask several of the vendors we came across, if they were giving a part of their proceeds to the campaign. After several no's from some we eventually found one that did say yes. He informed us that the vendors were supposed to have a permit to sell their wares at the rally. And in agreement with receiving the permit to set up shop and make a profit, they had to turn over a percentage of their earnings to the campaign. We seemed to think it was fair enough. Some of the vendors disagreed with it and tried to sell their items anyway. Eventually they were asked to leave the area.
Now the election is over. The Obama campaign cannot police activity such as this, as they did before. We are now witnessing people looking to make a quick buck by exploiting the historic event of electing the first Black President in this country. Coins have been minted, DVDs have been made, decorative plates, more t-shirts, more stickers, more buttons, etc.
I am not saying that people shouldn't do what they can to provide others with merchandise to show their support and enthusiasm of Obama's upcoming Presidency. What I am saying is if you are going to do it, then do it correctly. Get permission from those that are in charge of such things. You never know when you may walk right into a copyright infringement case. And for crying out loud, don't make something that looks tacky! Or display it in an area that is not befitting the President.
For example, I went to a corner store to get a bottle of juice, I looked up and there was the most tacky t-shirt hanging up next to a display of malt liquor.
Hmmmm, NO!
While it is encouraging to see people jumping into the entrepreneur arena, let us do so with dignity and class. Bootlegging merchandise is not the way to show your support for the incoming President. The first thing that anyone should do is check and make sure that they are not infringing on any copyright laws. Also, be sure to pay taxes on what you sell, and please, please,please people, put out a quality product. Use quality materials. Just because you can print out a iron-on transfer from your computer does not mean you should mass produce that way.
True, we are a capitalist nation and there will always be people who are looking for the next big thing to cash in on. If you are looking for that opportunity, please do so with dignity and class.
I had to pause for a moment.
The thought had actually crossed my mind several times, during the primaries and the election seasons. I saw buttons,t-shirts, purses, towels, wristbands, umbrellas, you name it. If it could be painted,written, or silkscreened on and sold believe you me these people did it. I couldn't help wondering though if the campaign saw any share of the money that these vendors were raking in.
When Obama came to Toledo in March, my mother was bold enough to ask several of the vendors we came across, if they were giving a part of their proceeds to the campaign. After several no's from some we eventually found one that did say yes. He informed us that the vendors were supposed to have a permit to sell their wares at the rally. And in agreement with receiving the permit to set up shop and make a profit, they had to turn over a percentage of their earnings to the campaign. We seemed to think it was fair enough. Some of the vendors disagreed with it and tried to sell their items anyway. Eventually they were asked to leave the area.
Now the election is over. The Obama campaign cannot police activity such as this, as they did before. We are now witnessing people looking to make a quick buck by exploiting the historic event of electing the first Black President in this country. Coins have been minted, DVDs have been made, decorative plates, more t-shirts, more stickers, more buttons, etc.
I am not saying that people shouldn't do what they can to provide others with merchandise to show their support and enthusiasm of Obama's upcoming Presidency. What I am saying is if you are going to do it, then do it correctly. Get permission from those that are in charge of such things. You never know when you may walk right into a copyright infringement case. And for crying out loud, don't make something that looks tacky! Or display it in an area that is not befitting the President.
For example, I went to a corner store to get a bottle of juice, I looked up and there was the most tacky t-shirt hanging up next to a display of malt liquor.
Hmmmm, NO!
While it is encouraging to see people jumping into the entrepreneur arena, let us do so with dignity and class. Bootlegging merchandise is not the way to show your support for the incoming President. The first thing that anyone should do is check and make sure that they are not infringing on any copyright laws. Also, be sure to pay taxes on what you sell, and please, please,please people, put out a quality product. Use quality materials. Just because you can print out a iron-on transfer from your computer does not mean you should mass produce that way.
True, we are a capitalist nation and there will always be people who are looking for the next big thing to cash in on. If you are looking for that opportunity, please do so with dignity and class.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Welcome!
Well, after all this time of burning my mother's ear and anyone else for that matter, over the phone and filling my MySpace and Facebook pages with my rants and raves about life, I have finally sat down and created a space where I can say what I think so the whole world can read them!
I have always been an observer of life. In fact, as a student at Bowling Green State University, my major was Popular Culture. I enjoyed that so much. It gave me the opportunity to put my thoughts and observations to good use. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances took me away from school and I have yet to return. maybe someday I'll go back. But for now, I will just stick to blogging.
My plan is to publish a weekly blog. Unless I think of something else before the week is up. Then, I may post two or more...we will see. Don't expect this to be one topic only. I have a lot of thoughts and a HUGE opinion. I want to explore such topics as fashion, politics, women's issues, family issues, parenting, teenagers, religion, relationships, money, current events, entertainment, movies, books, poetry, nail care and much more. Also, I am open to your suggestions as well. So if there is something that you did not see listed that you would like to read about just let me know.
This is also somewhat of second job for me. when you read my blog please be sure to visit the advertisers that appear on the pages of this blog.
Thank you for stopping by, be sure to subscribe to this blog and tell a friend!
I have always been an observer of life. In fact, as a student at Bowling Green State University, my major was Popular Culture. I enjoyed that so much. It gave me the opportunity to put my thoughts and observations to good use. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances took me away from school and I have yet to return. maybe someday I'll go back. But for now, I will just stick to blogging.
My plan is to publish a weekly blog. Unless I think of something else before the week is up. Then, I may post two or more...we will see. Don't expect this to be one topic only. I have a lot of thoughts and a HUGE opinion. I want to explore such topics as fashion, politics, women's issues, family issues, parenting, teenagers, religion, relationships, money, current events, entertainment, movies, books, poetry, nail care and much more. Also, I am open to your suggestions as well. So if there is something that you did not see listed that you would like to read about just let me know.
This is also somewhat of second job for me. when you read my blog please be sure to visit the advertisers that appear on the pages of this blog.
Thank you for stopping by, be sure to subscribe to this blog and tell a friend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
