The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: jameslindsay on July 05, 2009, 11:21:05 pm

Title: The joys of working with the public
Post by: jameslindsay on July 05, 2009, 11:21:05 pm
Last night we were very busy and as I was walking through to the kitchen with dirty plates in my hands a party of 5 or 6 people appeared. I said hello and excuse me and told them Gina would be with them in a second. Within 10 seconds I heard one of the men SHOUTING aggressively that i should have said f***in excuse me. I returned to the party and asked what the problem was and had this idiot point his finger in my face and ask me "outside". He did have young children in his party and his language was as obscene as his behaviour.

I immediately told him to leave and another man came and took him away as he continued to shout his threats and swear his rudeness. They left and that was that, I apologised to everyone for the incident and the night went on.

Well, 5 minutes ago I have just received an e mail from the aggressive prats brother telling me how rude and aggressive a member of my staff had been to his party. He said the member of staff did say excuse me but his brother didn't hear this as he was outside. So, he shoots himself in the foot straight away. So bad was the experience and my staff members language that his family and friends etc will nervier use the hotel.

Well, I just e mailed and thanked him for his comments and told him that the person concerned was myself - the owner. I went onto say that if lastnight behaviour was indicative of his friends then it was a good job they would not return to my hotel as they would not be welcome. He also had the cheek to say that had he not dragged his brother outside my staff member would have come off very badly indeed!!!

How rude are some people and how easy they bend the truth to suit their own needs. I am ragin!!!!
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: garden cottage on July 05, 2009, 11:28:32 pm
the trouble is this sort of idiot behaviour is becoming the norm, such pig headed selfish people ,seems to be the decay of society today-----------no manners
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: jameslindsay on July 05, 2009, 11:32:49 pm
The sad thing is if we were some big hotel and the manager/owner received a letter like the one I received some poor wee waiter could find himself in serious trouble. Luckily because I was involved in the incident I knew exactly what happened. It was not a nice situation to be in and just as it was forgotton the idiot brings it back to the fore by writing to me!!! Luckily we have not experienced any serious problems like this one before, but I dare say we will in the future.
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sellickbhoy on July 05, 2009, 11:39:04 pm
I had a great consumer experience today - i really despair of Scottish customer service, and today was a new low!!

Spent this morning staining the new stables (looking braw, it's been a hard week but i'm nearly there!) and we had 4 hours to kill before we could put another coat on. So I suggested we jump in the car and take a we drive.

We headed for Callendar in Perthshire, then took the road down to Aberfoyle passing Loch Venachar

there is a wee tea room/coffee shop/restaurant there - at the place you can go fishing, hire the boats whatever, We took the dog out for a wee swim and went in to get something to eat before heading on our way.

it was a hot day and we had stupdly forgotten to take a dog lead, so i suggested we just get something to go and we'd eat it in the car with the A/C on as we headed to Aberfoyle

so we get into the shop and order a couple of paninnis to take away. the girl scratched her head and i was dismayed as i thought she was about to tell me the chilli chicken was off - and i was quite looking forward to it. She said she'd need to pop into the kitchen to check. So i picked up the menu thinking i'd have to pick again. Only to be told "we don't do takeaway food - it's illegal since January 2009"

so, there you go, take away food is illegal now.

and they say the credit crunch is killing business.

however, i refrained from shouting, swearing, causing i scene, i just left quietly and stopped in Aberfoyle where i had a delicious ham and cheese panini - which was all the better for being taken from the premises "illegally" and consumed whilst watching some sheep being shorn
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: northfifeduckling on July 06, 2009, 12:10:40 am

James, I suppose this guy was just asking for a confrontation and misheard what he wanted to hear. You don't get that much of it where you are, James, but living near Cupar and Newburgh, this attitude seems quite normal to me! Someone I know was punched in front of his whole family because a guy thought he had looked at him strangely! I read in the paper later that the offender had done this before and was convicted to £ 300 compensation for a broken rib and nose. Is that likely to deter him from doing it again????

Rudeness seems to be the norm these days. I bought some tobacco for my OH a few months back at Cupar Tesco and the "lady" serving me (she seems to be a senior in the customer service department, lol) mumbled "go top yourself".

One of my friends was given the wrong prescription at specsavers in Dundee and the manageress told her that the glasses were good enough for her, as she was only a housekeeper!
You are a lovely and polite host, James, thanks for the nice afternoon today! Don't let idiots like that get to you!
:&>
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: jameslindsay on July 06, 2009, 08:24:40 am
Thanks Kerstin, it doesn't upset me it angers me that people can be so threatening without provocation. :)

SM You have posted your reply in the wrong place - there is a thread for "silly jokes". What a sad world we lilve in eh? Mind you it did make me chuckle, thanks. :) I once had a right fight in Tesco as I tried to buy 12 bags of chips, I was told I could only buy 6 at a time. I walked away telling the girl at the till, her supervisor and the shop duty manager to stick them up their ar**. Nowhere in the shop was there a sign telling me of this condition, neither were the chips on special offer or anything. Mental - and then I wrote to the MD and he replied telling me that it was indeed company policy and that he "thought" all shops had sign telling customers that. There is no hope for the girl on the checkout when the MD is so confused.
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on July 06, 2009, 09:48:01 am
Must have been  something in the air, we found a strange women in someones bedroom, she had  been smuggled in and put in an empty room for the night...goodness knows how often they made use of the spare room as several times I had thought some one had been in due to pillows and things being moved, it also smelled sweaty!!!!!! Also when previouse guests have been staying I have suspected an added, non paying guest but never found any evidence. The man however has been very appologetic and paid for the woman and it all turned into a bit of a funny joke as where he was working they had been putting up hanging baskets and they had a huge bag of compost left, so he gave that to us, I said "Thank you (of course), always nice to get a bag of Sh**e" Then we had a couple with a child that stayed in all day until 4.00pm, they were off to a late party but my partner was getting hot under the color at them still being in the house, I also had put loads of toys out for them and kids DVD's and books, the child played happily with them but the parents never mentioned them, at all although when they left you would swear knowone had slept in the beds, not even the pillows were creased!!!!!  Then we had another couple who also stayed talking for ages and ages, I was touched (a lot of people suspect that) that they poured thier hearts out to me, it was sad and I am sure I will see them again, they also were no trouble, I often turn into a counseller here, I like it and as I said the morning incident has now created a better bond as I think they now realise what they had done......It will happen again and one thing we are a bit laxt at is asserting ourselves, afterall, it is our home like it is yours, I hate rudeness!!!!!!! >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: northfifeduckling on July 06, 2009, 06:38:21 pm
Now, how did that smiley get into my post??? And the right one at that! I can only do ducklings typing it in, lol :&>

James, it must have to do with potatoes being a drug, have you not heard about the book "potatoes not prozac" , lol? So don't have too many, you get addicted and of course we get told how many we are allowed to buy (even if they forget to put up the sign). Or we have a tattie shortage...Don't get me started...:&>
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Rosemary on July 06, 2009, 09:13:25 pm
Oh, James, does telling them to shove it up their ar*e not smack of pots and kettles?
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: northfifeduckling on July 06, 2009, 10:10:03 pm
This one made me laugh, Rosemary - as hard as I tried I could not visualize James actually saying that! :&>
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on July 06, 2009, 10:10:43 pm
 ;D
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: jameslindsay on July 06, 2009, 10:24:38 pm
Oh, James, does telling them to shove it up their ar*e not smack of pots and kettles?

You know something Rosemary you are absolutely right. I had never even thought of it. However, in my defense I was not abusive or threatening when I said it hee hee.
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Rosemary on July 07, 2009, 02:36:11 pm
I'm glad you didn't take offence - after I posted it, I felt a bit bad.
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Tullywood Farm on July 09, 2009, 09:07:58 pm
Hiya James

The Customer IS NOT always right, sometimes they just think they have power because they are giving you money. He was probably drunk, or on drugs - you don't talk like that in front of children - who needs customers like that anyway!

He made a fool of himself and had to leave in the end.
Stay happy and keep smiling - don't let them grind you down - there just not worth it.  I know its annoying cause your constantly trying your best to please everyone - but you can't please everyone all the time - and its not a problem. That's Life as Esther would say ;D

Take Care
Julie
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: jameslindsay on July 09, 2009, 09:25:31 pm
Thanks Julie, it is all forgotton now and I dare say some other idiot will come along and cause upset in the future. You are defo right - the customer isn't always right and if they are in the wrong they should be told. I am smiling again, just spent the last 20 minutes outside surrounded by my goats - heaven!!!
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Tullywood Farm on July 09, 2009, 10:14:35 pm
I have just come in from saying good night to my Emu's,Pigs,Chickens,Ducks,Geese,Cats,Kittens and One Goat soon to be joined by 2 Rabbits and 3 Guinnea pigs but the one thing I am looking forward to is in a few weeks when I get my 3 new Pygmy Goats I think they are Beautiful animals and I am busy trying to Build their new Pen and House any sugestions on what to watch for with Pygmy's.
Any help would be gratefully received.
I also totally agree with you and My BEAUTIFUL wife Julie the customer is not always right and the one's that think they are I have found are usually full of SH*TE.
Kindest regards
Joe
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: jameslindsay on July 09, 2009, 10:20:30 pm
Joe you will love your Pygmy's - I have 7. I started off 3 years ago with 2 and it just grew and grew. They make brilliant pets, they love attention and food! They also love to climb, mine have a climbing frame to play on and benches in their bed. They also get on well with all my other animals so no problem there. They have their own paddock but I let them out all day and they play with the other goats, ponies, ducks and geese. They do hate the rain with a passion so must have access to a shelter and hay. Good luck with them, I can't praise these wee chaps enough.
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Tullywood Farm on July 10, 2009, 12:26:12 am
Hi James,
Thankyou for getting back to me.
I have designed a pen which has an area about 40 feet square of just grass and then there is about the same on the right hand side but this side has got large stones in it which I am going to put some scaffold planks across so that they can walk from one to an other and jump off the highest being about 16 inch.
Is this OK?.
The house I have for them is my Daughters old play house that I made her its about 7 feet x 3.5 feet  but it has a slate roof and is insulated  so it will keep them nice and warm and totally dry(used to be a builder).
I was going to use an automatic drinker for them is this OK?.
Can I get them any special crunch or feed as a treat?.
Kind regards and thank you in advance for all your help
Joe
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on July 10, 2009, 07:31:58 am
Running a B&B I get to meet loads of people, most of them are interesting, and some very strange. :o The clue is when they turn up with a too small suit jacket on, buttoned up with a 70's jumper underneath and too short trousers, they have all been men as the strange women usulay come with a husband or partner. I always end up talking to them for ages and ages and am thankful when they go without incident (except one who weeeeeeeeeeeeeed all over the bedroom floor and the 2 beds in the room) only to find they come back again, I am a nut magnet!!!!!! P.S my mum was a pychiatric nurse and I worked for years in the same field!!!!! :P
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Tullywood Farm on July 10, 2009, 08:12:53 am
Hi,

I know what you are saying about being a NUT magnet, I have been saying this for years!.
I seem to attract them where ever I go only a few weeks ago We all went on the train to Dublin the train was not full by any means,But low and behold we ended up sitting with an absolute fruit and nut who got on the train a few stops after us.
We got his entire life story from conception to present day.
This is just one instance as for the TW*T that weeeeeeeeed all over I hope you gave him a bill for cleaning up.
It probably does help that you worked in the same field as your Mum, But I personally thought that people who run B&B's are nuts anyway!!.(Just Kidding)  :)
Hope you never get anyone else like that.
All the best
Joe
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on July 10, 2009, 08:25:20 am
It is a great job, a bit like having friends around who give you money!!!! My partner say's I attract nuts as I look simple!!! he means open and uncomplicated I think? We also get pressies and loads of odd socks!!!!!
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: jameslindsay on July 10, 2009, 09:05:11 am
That all sounds perfect Joe. I feed mine Allan and Page Pygmy Goat Mix twice a day and they love most things. They get a small bit of Kit Kat at bed time and they love cream crackers, scones, bread even. Some of them enjoy fruit and most of them love vegetables, others are not so keen but mine get to run around the entire garden so climb the trees for the bark and branches. I just have a big bowl of water out for them and that does the trick. As with most goats they would eat all day if they could.
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on July 10, 2009, 09:08:51 am
Maybe I was a goat in my past life...I could eat all day and love Kit Kat..not keen on bark  but I love trees!!!!! If I gwet re-incarneted as an animal I hope I get looked after by someone like you!!
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Tullywood Farm on July 10, 2009, 11:07:34 am
Hi,
Thank you every one on giving me info on keeping Pygmy's, I think I will really enjoy the as I also love Kitkat's and cream cracker's.
Regards
Joe
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on July 10, 2009, 11:33:25 am
Well it's been confirmed, I do have a screw loose!!!!     My glasses just fell off in Focus.....screw has gone!!!!! I am writting this proping my specs on my nose and the writing is going all hazey so I'm off to find a replacement screw!!!
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: jameslindsay on July 10, 2009, 11:35:18 am
Sandy just keep wearing that love;y white jacket that the Dr gave you - you know the ultra modern on where the arms wrap around the front to your back ha ha ha ha  ;D
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Tullywood Farm on July 10, 2009, 11:56:15 am
Screw loose!.
I don't know anyone who hasn't!.  ;D
Joe
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on July 10, 2009, 02:04:10 pm
my guests arrived at 12.00 so after a cuppa and chat I had  to super charge my zimmer!!!!!! Beds and Bathrooms disinfected and polished, me.....opened the Gin for tonight and  have sat with the Ducks and Hens while the dogs clean up some droppings.....nice!!!!! P.S still trying to find that screw, without my glasses I am looking at bits of twigs and wondering where the thread is!!!!!!
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Tullywood Farm on July 10, 2009, 08:55:01 pm
Have you still got a screw loose Sandy?

Or did someone help you find it?  Any optician should replace it free for you, so don't be stuck

Julie
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on July 10, 2009, 09:01:15 pm
I forraged in my draws and found 3 pairs of broken ones and bogged it for now as otherwise everything is a blur and I would end up going out with clown makeup and handing out duff breakfasts in the morning as we are busy this weekend. When I have time I will go to get it fixed, getting old is expensive, can't Waite to be senile then I can have some fun!!! not really must be horrid
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: rustyme on July 10, 2009, 09:06:14 pm
 ;D ;D ;D.......it is getting worse Sandy .....I have now got images of you foraging in your draws for a screw !!!!!!!!  :o :o ;D

cheers

Russ
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on July 10, 2009, 09:14:19 pm
I have to be quick as our guest keep interrupting!! My draws are full of cr**!
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on July 11, 2009, 10:24:18 am
It is a great job, a bit like having friends around who give you money!!!! My partner say's I attract nuts

SO does linz
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Tullywood Farm on July 11, 2009, 10:33:23 am
Hiya Linz - you were missed.

Hows Bump ?
- Heartburn?  Fluid on ankles? Too Damn Hot?  Forgetful?  Tired?
Can't stop cleaning everything?

I remember it with joy - should be really good at playing football in the tum by now -
I know youre going to be a great mum, and we are all looking forward to seeing the pictures when your baby arrives. 

11 Weeks - End of September - Good Luck - stay at home and keep well
Julie  ;D :D
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on August 06, 2009, 03:12:32 pm
Been a strange few day's, I had to expel a guest after many warnings about several incidents, I cannot go in to the ins and outs but he certainly has put me at risk.  >:(

One of my pet hates here is why do some guests walk out and leave the front door open? I now am contemplating CCTV and wounder if I can just have something on the front door? Last week I found a few people had just walked in!!!!!

I pride myself on being a good judge of charactor and know I have done the right thing but has anyone else had any horror stories about guests?

I think I nipped things in the bud but could have been in for a very bumpy ride as nearly everything I suspected appears to be accurate about the person!!!!!!

Anyway, advice on a cheap camera  that will connect to the computer if possible!!! Oh, and I got to keep three stars!!!


Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: jameslindsay on August 06, 2009, 04:04:31 pm
has anyone else had any horror stories about guests



It seems that every day just now there is a rude prat of a person out there just waiting to be rude and obnoxious. I just had an American be rude because we were finished serving lunch and would not serve him - an hour after the kitchen closed. He then asked if he could eat sandwiches he had in the car on my picnic tables, I told him no and he said I was very unfriendly. I smiled and counted to a zillion....

When I went outside to collect empty glassed he announced at the top of his voice he would go and not return to this "terrible place", I just turned to him and said "just as well because you aren't welcome, now leave". The trouble is Sandy we are only have way through the busy summer season and very tired and needing a break!!!! I'd settle for a break of that dipsticks neck ha ha ha.
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on August 06, 2009, 04:39:58 pm
Strange  how some people have a job at seeing how rude they are, after all, it's us who can choose who or who not we serve!! I would have secrety wished for his car to break down ;D ;D ;D if only I could do spells!!!
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: doganjo on August 06, 2009, 06:09:53 pm
I have to be quick as our guest keep interrupting!! My draws are full of cr**!


I don't believe you just wrote that! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  (assuming you mean drawers in the colloquial sense!) ;)
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on August 06, 2009, 07:52:56 pm
My "wooden" draws, I should have said, and yes, they are full of cr**! (my other type are large but freshly washed) ::)
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: doganjo on August 06, 2009, 10:40:58 pm
 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: Tullywood Farm on August 06, 2009, 11:25:41 pm
Could have been worse - could have been a wooden leg ;D ;D ;D

Julie
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on August 07, 2009, 08:30:16 am
Such nice guests in, I want to give them ALL a big hug!!!! that will ;D make them pack thier bags so I had better restrain myself ;D
Title: Re: The joys of working with the public
Post by: sandy on August 16, 2009, 10:48:38 pm
Had a man in this weekend who questioned the price!!! it is on our website and he Was told then he booked and when he payed he already had the correct amount!!! I spoke to him on the first morning and he walked out of the breakfast room and he called a male guest "Boy" on passing him and when steve spke to him he used the term "Boy" again!!  he was so arragant, his wife was lovely...poor women!! Thank goodness there are not many guests like him aaarrrrrrrrrrrhhh.....P.S just a few min after another guest gave us a £10 tip...so we had a take out tonight!!!!