School of "How To Get Things For Free Just By Being Nice"

I was chuckling to myself this morning as I was replying to an email from Heather.  She is in Ottawa for a few days and got an upgrade at her hotel.  The desk clerk told her "see what you get for a smile"!!!

This made me think of our long-standing joke about Dave.  The man seems to get free things handed to him all of the time...without being pushy or rude.  Back in '98, Dave, Heath and I toured around the Southwest for two weeks.  It seemed that it was more of an education in "How To Get Things For Free Just By Being Nice" but the final night of our trip was the most impressive.  We had just spent a couple of hours driving back to LA from San Diego and Heath and I were waiting in the car for Dave to check into the hotel.  We were tired...and a bit impatient.  We kept asking "What in the world could be taking him so long????".  Finally, Dave emerged from the lobby and hopped in the car.  He said that the hotel had no more rooms available on the Club Level (we had an upgrade coupon).  Heath and I were disappointed but figured at least we had a bed and roof over our heads.  Then Dave hit us with the big news...the desk clerk was the same one who had checked us out earlier in the week and Dave had remembered him and greeted him by name when we returned.  The clerk had upgraded us to a Suite and given us Club Level access so we could enjoy the free (and amazingly generous) hot breakfast in the morning and the Club Lounge for snacks that night...and would not take the coupon!!  Heath and I just shook our heads and said "We don't know how you do this!!!".  Dave grinned and told us that it was no big secret..."just smile and make people feel special and they will fall all over themselves to help you out without you even asking". 

Another example occurred on our way back from a cruise one year.  We were checking in at the San Juan airport around 1am for a 3am flight (ewww!!).  A clerk was helping us work the 'self check-in' kiosk and we were joking and laughing with her about what a job she had to help out stunned travellers who weren't too sparky at that time of the morning.  When boarding began, this same woman came over to us and pulled us out of line and told us that she would like to upgrade us to first class.  What an amazing treat!!  I think it was the first time that I had a quality sleep on a plane....and all because we were being nice instead of cranky : - )

I have watched Dave in action for over 20 years now and have learned that this approach tends to be very effective a large percentage of the time.  It isn't a matter of being fake or manipulative.  If you aren't genuine, people will know this on some level and won't be keen to help you out.  Service jobs are often pretty thankless and when someone is kind and appreciative....people will go out of their way to do something nice for you.  Even if they can't do something for you...give a word of praise or a compliment on how well they do their job.  Spreading a little joy is always a good practice!

We can all benefit from an education in this 'school' of life☺