You're Appreciated <3
I was reminded the other day of why I love my job. I feel like being an FDA has its EXTREME ups and downs (re: crazy group that wanted to buy a firepit lmao). There's days where we wonder why we work where we do, and days where we wonder why we need money to survive, and days where we're just content. There are so few days where we go "THIS. This is why I love my job."
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As most properties in the city do, I have my share of corporate regulars. A few of them I know so well that I don't ask much of anything anymore. "Checking out this date right? Cool, got your favorite room, charged the normal card, here's your keys!" Usually pretty unremarkable interactions. But this particular regular I am centering around today, I have been WORKING AT. This is my first regular that I completely recognized; seeing his reservation, I knew who he was. He started out so quiet. He also never comes back down to the desk after checking in, so check in is the only interaction I get with him. Recently I've gotten short 5 minute conversations out of him, and we've shared a few laughs. The other day though, made my heart so full.
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He does his normal check in, then tells me he has something for me. He pulls out a bag from a local winery, and hands it to me. 866
He admits, he doesn't drink and he doesn't know anything about wine, but knows that I'm a drinker (as most FDAs seem to be lol). He got these two wines for me, he didn't know what I liked, but got a red and a white, and hopefully I like one of them. I was honestly shocked. I thanked him profusely, and asked what brought this on? And this is what he said:
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"I travel a lot, nature of the job, and this is my favorite time of the week. I know when I show up here, you're going to greet me with a smile, and you always make sure I'm taken care of. I just wanted to make sure you know that you're appreciated."
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I can't even express how happy I was. Knowing that I'm making an impact on someone. That me putting in an effort to connect with my guests is working. I just wanted to share this story, because I feel like we make more of an impact on people than we realize. Of course our one-off guests won't say anything to us directly, but I've noticed that my regulars at least usually make it clear that they're happy that we're there. All FDAs out there, please remember that a lot of people appreciate you being kind to them, even if they don't have the courage or time to let you know that. <3
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P.S. I liked both the wines he gave me, if anyone was wondering. I did also give him a cookie that I baked instead of one of the brand-standard cookies in return, since that's all I had (which, for the record, I would NEVER do for a regular guest, liability and all).
But also, if you're an FDA that's not a big drinker, how do you do it? There must be a secret you're refusing to share. 201