Whatever Your "Attitude", "Service-Type" will Follow-Day 94

Happy Monday. I hope this day is the best day of your life. I hope you enjoy it, smile at others so they will respond accordingly.

I had a very gratifying and quiet weekend. I spent time with my daughter. We went to the bookstore, the park and a few other places. She told me that she really wants to decorate for Christmas this year.

We have not decorated for the Christmas holiday, in the three years we have lived in South Florida. I guess it is time, but money is inadequate this year, and of course I must prioritize. But I am rich in spirit, I believe that I will have money soon. I just do not have it this very minute.

This brings me to my present topic.

When I was much younger, I really believed the world revolved around me. My attitude was not nice.

I use to work for a major health insurance company in Michigan. I was only nineteen (19) years old. I was very attractive, I had a very nice shape, size 2, and I considered myself "the most beautiful girl on earth". I was what some considered "stuck on myself" (conceded). I must admit that I was not very nice during these tumultuous times.

I was of the mindset that YOU should speak to me first. I should not have to open my mouth or smile to acknowledge you in any way. It was clearly your responsibility to acknowledge me as the most "beautiful girl in the earth".

I considered myself a gift to all men. What a blessing it were for men to be able to look upon my face and gaze into my beautiful eyes. Really?

I was miserable with myself and made people around me feel miserable as well during this time. However, reality began to set in.

I would wonder why people treated me with distance. I wondered why they did not want to be around me. Then one day it hit or should I say "smack me" in my face. "YOU TREAT PEOPLE LIKE CRAP". And people responded accordingly. My attitude was something to be more ashamed of than proud of.

People can get a feeling of what your attitude is about them. If you display love, you generally get love in return. If your attitude displays dislike or distain for people, you may get this same attitude in return.

Now I know that displaying and giving people respect, covered with a touch of kindness, is my preferable method. I, now, treat people the way that I want to be treated.

One day I was in "Liberty City" (predominantly Black area of Miami), and I went into one of the only "Black owned" stores in the community. I was greeted solemnly by the store clerk. Moreover, I moved past this and placed an order for "Black eyed peas" and corn bread. I appealed for some okra on top of my peas. I love okra atop of Black eyed peas.

Moreover, the clerk told me that she "could not do this". Huh? I was agitated that she would refuse a patron. She announced that I would have to purchase an entire order of okra as well. I kindly advised her that she could give me half Black eyed peas and half okra, in lieu of the fact that both of them "are the same price". But I rejected "two orders" as I did not eat that much. She refused me again. No matter what I suggested, I was repudiated. Thereafter, I requested to speak with the proprietor, but he was not in.

I ended up purchasing only "Black eyed peas" and corn bread. I was very unhappy with the method of treatment I received from the store-clerk. Approximately two weeks later, I dropped in the store again, and again asked to speak to the proprietor. This time he came out and I explained my ordeal. He told me that "they" did not "change orders". "This is the way we sell it."

I was shocked that a proprietor would not try and reason with a patron. (Whatever happened to customer service?) So I explained it to him this way. "Look, I come into your store to patronize it. I want to support "Black Businesses". I was very unhappy the last time I visited your store. Don't you think it is important for you to satisfy your customers? You should try and be more customer oriented or focused. Do I make sense to you?"

He look at me and told me that he understand, he would consider my request "next time" I make an order.

I do not understand why most Black businesses have terrible customer service. It is as though "they" are doing Black people a favor by servicing them. As oppose to treating their customers with respect, and placing the wants/needs of their customers as the priorities, it is the opposite. Most proprietors of Black businesses place their "rules and regulations" over servicing the customers. How sad. Is this part of the reason "Liberty City" looks like a war zone and "Aventura" appears to be a mecca for businesses?

Why are most Black business owners attitude so bad? I can guess and speculate but excuses are easy. If you look long and hard enough, you can find an excuse for almost anything. When are we going to just wake up and say.."You know what? It is time to service our customers with the best service possible. The customer comes first. We should serve them with a friendly attitude when we invite them into our place of business? Every one that walks into our doors must be greeted with a smile. When a customer walks out the door, he/she should be a satisfied patron.

Is this so bad? Or are we going to find more excuses why most Black businesses treat their customers with such distain? Please! Excuses are old and worn out. Just like me when I was younger treating everyone with disrespect until I woke and realized the problem was not others. But I was looking at the problem every day I looked in the mirror, and saw "the most beautiful girl in the world". This "beautiful girl" had the ugliest attitude on the planet.

The problem with my attitude began with me, so must the solution.

Have a wonderful day.

L. for Love