More Service is Not Better Service

I hate turn down service! As Susan and I call it "dreaded turn down service". I can peel back my own blanket with no assistance. Up in Vail they turn your radio on to a classical station. There's 15 minute shot trying to turn off the strange radio with out accidently setting the alarm for 3 AM.

You know what I am talking about. Its when the fourth person in 90 seconds comes by to ask you "how's your dinner?" And you want to scream "Stop bothering me so I can eat it and I'll let you know!

Stop leaving me a voice mail in my hotel phone to asking me if I'm having "fabulous stay". I don't know, I just got here. I get it you're the, oh so accessible, manager, how 'bout I'll find you if I need you. When this was a new bit of uninvited service you would walk into the room and see that flashing light on the phone and have minor anxiety attack. In those days a message left on your hotel phone meant there was an emergency at home or at work. Back off!

The attitude has become if a little is service is good more has to be better. Actually I don't want people arranging my toothbrush and razor. Now maybe you like cleaning people folding your jeans and putting the pillows back to their original intricate mosaic pillow arrangement, I don't know.

I don't like it and no one asks me what I want! Susan and I now get to travel a lot together these days, which is a good thing. We have similar taste for how much service is too much. So frequently we will have our "Do Not Disturb" door hanger for several days. So then they leave you a voice message, everyday (flashing red light again) asking you if you need service like I wasn't clear about the meaning of "Do Not Disturb".

Am I taking care of you and your protocol of service or are you here to take care of me for what I want? Leave me alone.

For a while servers in restaurants would come and sit down with you to take your order. Really? You server: me customer, lets keep our roles clear. We were in a hotel in Chicago lately and this one VERY loud waitress was always striking up conversations at breakfast: "How's your day going so far? What are you doing in town? What company are you visiting? How long are you staying with us? When do you get to go home? How were your eggs? I like mine runny. Oh you're from Denver? Can I go home with you? I love it out there!" That was all one morning. This is not an exaggeration. I guess even former FBI interrogators get to have a second career.

It takes a certain level of sensitivity to know how much interaction a customer wants. When in doubt give me a friendly smile say "Hello" and take my order.

Now you on the other hand you may love all these items I am whining about. The mint on your pillow and your Kleenex oragamied into a rose, that may mean luxury for you. And that's my point. Why not ask me before I show up how much service I would like? Marriott sends out an email asking what specialty needs you have, extra pillows a little frig in your room, etc. Good idea. Why not ask how much service is too much? We are in the age of customization not one size fits all. Computers, cars, houses, made just the way we like it. Maybe service in hotels and restaurants are next. We can only hope.

As always we invite your comments.