Very nicely written, Eugene. Those of us who live here sometimes forget what a lot of other people wake up to every day. What a wondrous place we live in. I would like to see a follow up article on this young man with so much promise. I hope he remembers what really made a difference in his life. Glad that he is taking care of his 96 year old grandpa, but Fresno is no place to be.
Thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts Family for .a full and speedy recovery. I. truly hope that this is not a "hit and run" case. Sitz seems such a short run to have gathered enough speed to invoke such serious injuries especially without hitting a tree. Surely someone saw the accident and will come forward.
WTG Sue! Your story tonight (on our walk) about giving at Christmas touched me and I plan to start that tradition at Christmas too. I'm glad you and Yukon had fun traipsing all over town looking! I'm sure Michele and her family will greatly appreciate your generous gift and the story behind it.----Marie
Wow, what a mess! Really, Kelly? You sold Steamboat out to get published in some high gloss magazine? I have lived and skied here for over 30 years and while there are some things I would like to complain about the ski area (do I really have to hike Duster back from One O'clock when the snow is so good? j/k) being searched or patted down is not even remotely close to one of them. I, personally have never experienced it or even seen it. It is with bated breath that I await your next writing endeavor that should be titled "Eating Crow".
My 2 cents: I also was a one time patron at the Jade Summit. I also had to retrieve my own silverware. After we ate, the waiter walked by our table several times without anything in his hands and failed to remove our plates or ask us if we wanted dessert or after dinner drinks. OOPS! Money lost for the restaurant money lost for the waiter. I did go to Kathy and as I remember she just laughed it off and told us to come again. We were pleasant and friendly and relayed our concern hmmm...need I say more?
"Unfortunately, “old Steamboat” locals aren’t very accepting of newcomers and the change they bring to “their” town and mountain."
Lisa, this sounds to me like a gross generalization and a disservice to the people who were here before us and laid the foundation of what Steamboat is today. You could follow your own advice and say "Thank-you" to these fine folks. In fact if I heard a small business owner make this statement, I would not be inclined to frequent said business again. I think you may have lost some current/potential customers by this flagrant statement. In other words, in my opinion you cancelled out your whole article by this one declaration. Not nice.
That being said, as far as customer service is concerned, I agree that it is of the utmost importance to be pleasant and helpful. It should be the responsibility of the employer to ensure that their employees are educated in that respect and act accordingly, but I also believe that as a customer or client a pleasant demeanor and a kind word goes a long way with even the most disgruntled employee. If that doesn't work, shop elsewhere.
I have been on both sides of the retail and service industry as an employee and business owner. I believe the "customer is always right" (well most of the time) but sometimes they can be a demanding pain in the you know what. I remember when I used to wait tables I tried to welcome the challenge of a customer who was determined to have a bad experience. Sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. But I tried.
Here is a quote from an article in the New York Times about the "me" generation:
"The majority of those interviewed stated . . . that nobody has any natural or general responsibility or obligation to help other people. . . . Most of those interviewed said that it is nice if people help others, but that nobody has to. Taking care of other people in need is an individual’s choice. If you want to do it, good. If not, that’s up to you. . . . Even when pressed — What about victims of natural disaster or political oppression? What about helpless people who are not responsible for their poverty or disabilities? What about famines and floods and tsunamis? — No, they replied. If someone wants to help, then good for that person. But nobody has to."
Not a good attitude to have in a town like Steamboat or any place. I doubt the majority of our young people have this attitude but some do and I think the most effective way of changing it is by example. Be pleasant and positive, even if you are having a crappy day. Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how.
At Home: Rocky Mountain Youth Corps member shines in Steamboat
Very nicely written, Eugene. Those of us who live here sometimes forget what a lot of other people wake up to every day. What a wondrous place we live in. I would like to see a follow up article on this young man with so much promise. I hope he remembers what really made a difference in his life. Glad that he is taking care of his 96 year old grandpa, but Fresno is no place to be.
July 5, 2011 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Joanne Palmer: Ride the Rockies, through a newbie’s eyes
Joanne, You are an inspiration! Thank-you for lifting my spirits. ---Marie Sargent
June 16, 2011 at 6:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steamboat man dies in the Yampa River
Godspeed John.
June 15, 2011 at 10:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steamboat woman accused of burning employer's cash
Well, burning cash is just plain kooky, but if she did it at the gas station.that's dangerous and kooky.
February 10, 2011 at 9 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
No spinal cord injury for Steamboat city manager
Thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts Family for .a full and speedy recovery. I. truly hope that this is not a "hit and run" case. Sitz seems such a short run to have gathered enough speed to invoke such serious injuries especially without hitting a tree. Surely someone saw the accident and will come forward.
January 5, 2011 at 5:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mother-daughter team again finds Steamboat's Yule Log
WTG Sue! Your story tonight (on our walk) about giving at Christmas touched me and I plan to start that tradition at Christmas too. I'm glad you and Yukon had fun traipsing all over town looking! I'm sure Michele and her family will greatly appreciate your generous gift and the story behind it.----Marie
December 15, 2010 at 6:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ski area officials refute pat-down stories
Hey, what is wrong with the T-bar? I always get pleasant prompt service, great inexpensive food, and yes a beer at the END of the day skiing. Sheesh!
December 4, 2010 at 5:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ski area officials refute pat-down stories
Wow, what a mess! Really, Kelly? You sold Steamboat out to get published in some high gloss magazine? I have lived and skied here for over 30 years and while there are some things I would like to complain about the ski area (do I really have to hike Duster back from One O'clock when the snow is so good? j/k) being searched or patted down is not even remotely close to one of them. I, personally have never experienced it or even seen it. It is with bated breath that I await your next writing endeavor that should be titled "Eating Crow".
December 4, 2010 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lisa Douglas: Poor customer service in Steamboat Springs
My 2 cents: I also was a one time patron at the Jade Summit. I also had to retrieve my own silverware. After we ate, the waiter walked by our table several times without anything in his hands and failed to remove our plates or ask us if we wanted dessert or after dinner drinks. OOPS! Money lost for the restaurant money lost for the waiter. I did go to Kathy and as I remember she just laughed it off and told us to come again. We were pleasant and friendly and relayed our concern hmmm...need I say more?
November 14, 2010 at 8:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lisa Douglas: Poor customer service in Steamboat Springs
"Unfortunately, “old Steamboat” locals aren’t very accepting of newcomers and the change they bring to “their” town and mountain."
Lisa, this sounds to me like a gross generalization and a disservice to the people who were here before us and laid the foundation of what Steamboat is today. You could follow your own advice and say "Thank-you" to these fine folks. In fact if I heard a small business owner make this statement, I would not be inclined to frequent said business again. I think you may have lost some current/potential customers by this flagrant statement. In other words, in my opinion you cancelled out your whole article by this one declaration. Not nice.
That being said, as far as customer service is concerned, I agree that it is of the utmost importance to be pleasant and helpful. It should be the responsibility of the employer to ensure that their employees are educated in that respect and act accordingly, but I also believe that as a customer or client a pleasant demeanor and a kind word goes a long way with even the most disgruntled employee. If that doesn't work, shop elsewhere.
I have been on both sides of the retail and service industry as an employee and business owner. I believe the "customer is always right" (well most of the time) but sometimes they can be a demanding pain in the you know what. I remember when I used to wait tables I tried to welcome the challenge of a customer who was determined to have a bad experience. Sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. But I tried.
Here is a quote from an article in the New York Times about the "me" generation:
"The majority of those interviewed stated . . . that nobody has any natural or general responsibility or obligation to help other people. . . . Most of those interviewed said that it is nice if people help others, but that nobody has to. Taking care of other people in need is an individual’s choice. If you want to do it, good. If not, that’s up to you. . . . Even when pressed — What about victims of natural disaster or political oppression? What about helpless people who are not responsible for their poverty or disabilities? What about famines and floods and tsunamis? — No, they replied. If someone wants to help, then good for that person. But nobody has to."
Not a good attitude to have in a town like Steamboat or any place. I doubt the majority of our young people have this attitude but some do and I think the most effective way of changing it is by example. Be pleasant and positive, even if you are having a crappy day. Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how.
November 14, 2010 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )