One of the challenges of multi-career marriages is allotting time for the family and for each other. Some years ago, Sherry and I began to realize this and decided to take steps to insure “our time” every day. So, we began going to a convenient place in the evening just to have coffee and to visit.
We found it a bit amusing (and a compliment to our 35-year marriage) when some of the staff at one restaurant thought we were having an affair because we would often arrive in separate cars.
One of the places we enjoy coffee and dessert is the Menger Hotel. Not only is it a beautiful place, but also their coffee is some of the smoothest.
I remember one particular evening at the Menger. After our waiter brought our check and walked away with my $20, I commented to Sherry that I had forgotten to have him bring me plenty of one dollar bills. I knew that after the tip I would still need money for school lunches the next morning.
We decided to see if the waiter knew his stuff. If, on our $10 check, he brought back two fives or a ten dollar bill, we would know he was not on the ball. He did not disappoint us. He brought me plenty of ones and we, in turn, were generous with our tip.
Since a large part of a barber’s income is from tips, I learned this lesson about making change a long time ago. Certainly, a person ought to get the same quality service whether he chooses to tip or not. That’s a personal decision. But, if a person wants to tip, he shouldn’t be inconvenienced by having to ask for change.
Along this line, I’m constantly amazed at how some folks in business never “get it” on this point. Whether it involves tipping, being seated, paying, or any other aspect of doing business, it needs to be easy, convenient and uncomplicated for the customer. The benefit to those in business is that we’ll probably have more business and make more money.
But, there is another benefit. It is the satisfaction of knowing one is a true professional who treats others as he/she wants to be treated. Such an approach is almost irresistible in business, in relationships – and in marriages.
BARBER-OSOPHY: Always seek to make life a little easier for others.
Copyright 2004, Sumerlin Enterprises.
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Terry L. Sumerlin, known as the Barber-osopher, is the author of "Barber-osophy," is a columnist for the San Antonio Business Journal and speaks nationally as a humorist/motivational speaker.