How to Get the Best Service in Uganda
By Dennis Matanda
Of course you could decide to be a Muzungu and automatically get the best of service at restaurants. Or you could decide to hang out exclusively with the above mentioned people - and still get the word 'Love' on top of your latte. All this should work like a charm. But better still, you could keep your black birth mark and treat the waiters and waitresses with a little respect.
I am not saying go out and shake hands with them or ask after their shoes, labels and uniform. No. Just go there and smile and ask how they are. They should give you a generic blank answer. Because they are a little numb to pleasure and passion and all those things that are great in customer service, just goad them along with a non flirtacous smile and questions on their recommendations. I am sure they will start to warm up to you. The thing to remember is that a smile will bring out the brightest part of your dark face.
Waiters and waitresses are all the same around the world. Forget the ones Hollywood has on display. If you are nice to them, they will be nice to you. And I do not want to hear you Ugandans complain about customer service in these parts. What about a little client service?? If you want customer service, teach those people that serve you how you want to be served! I am sure you know that people will only treat you as well as you let them ... so there.
I am getting excellent customer service from the restaurants, pubs and other places of convenience [excuse the pun] in Kampala - which I think is a great thing. I am sure you can do the same.
Of course you could decide to be a Muzungu and automatically get the best of service at restaurants. Or you could decide to hang out exclusively with the above mentioned people - and still get the word 'Love' on top of your latte. All this should work like a charm. But better still, you could keep your black birth mark and treat the waiters and waitresses with a little respect.
I am not saying go out and shake hands with them or ask after their shoes, labels and uniform. No. Just go there and smile and ask how they are. They should give you a generic blank answer. Because they are a little numb to pleasure and passion and all those things that are great in customer service, just goad them along with a non flirtacous smile and questions on their recommendations. I am sure they will start to warm up to you. The thing to remember is that a smile will bring out the brightest part of your dark face.
Waiters and waitresses are all the same around the world. Forget the ones Hollywood has on display. If you are nice to them, they will be nice to you. And I do not want to hear you Ugandans complain about customer service in these parts. What about a little client service?? If you want customer service, teach those people that serve you how you want to be served! I am sure you know that people will only treat you as well as you let them ... so there.
I am getting excellent customer service from the restaurants, pubs and other places of convenience [excuse the pun] in Kampala - which I think is a great thing. I am sure you can do the same.
3 Comments:
d, i couldn agree more...i find too that this works wonders esp here where the waitresses and other service personnel like hotel bellboys and valets have even more attitude as they can be quite more loaded than some of us(owing to tip policy) so its even more imperative to smile and be nice or risk spit in your food.
So you are here Dennis! I was wondering why you are not posting in your usual blog.
I worked with the catering industry for about 4 years in the 1990s, and I know its working (from 5 star hotels to field catering) as well as I know the workings of educational institutes. I still do have many friends in the catering industry; the Kamba friend of mine whom I went to visit mentioned in my last post - is one of them.
Hotel waiters would always reciprocate any attitude or behaviour towards them. It's not money that interests most of them; they value real, honest respect which most 'muzungus' give them; not the money.
I intend to write an article about this in one of my blogs and give more details on how hotels and the catering industry satff relate to their customers.
totally agree with the politeness issue.
though, how should help that is rude and negligent be treated? even after the smile and it's only 10am in the morn?
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home