The customer is always...

[Guest route67]

Here in Topsyturvyland, it would seem that the normal rules of economics apply, only in reverse.

For example, when demand for something is low and supply is increased, the price goes down. Right?

Not in Topsyturvyland, it would seem. Try getting a hotel room in a place with less than 20% occupancy. The price goes UP!

Why? Because they have to squeeze more money out of the poor mugs who DO come, rather than lowering the price to ATTRACT more customers.

Madness.

Another example. Be nice to the customers you have, and they will come back. They will spend more money in your establishment, rather than taking all of their custom elsewhere. As a former bar manager, I stressed this to my staff 'til I was blue in the face (well, OK, ALMOST blue in the face). It's simple common sense, right?

Not in Topsyturvyland.

I was in King's Bar the other night. My American Cousin (Happy 4th of July to you all) and I had been there a couple of nights previously, and he had tried (and failed) to bar fine the cute GG cashier. After failing, and just to show he wasn't angry or upset, he continued buying her drinks (I think - it was all a bit hazy by that stage on that night). They did good business, and we were treated well by the lovely LBs there.

Bear in mind that we were practically the only customers in the bar for a long period.

So, two nights later we toddle in again. There was some English asshole giving yak-yak to one of the ladies therein, which somewhat soured the atmosphere. However, he left, and we were again the only customers in the bar. The Cousin eventually disappeared upstairs with khun Fon, and all was well with the world.

When he came back down, more drinks were ordered, and I decided to have a G&T. Now , I am very particular about my G&Ts, among other things. Do something right or eff off, is the mantra.

So, I pop up to the bar, choose a large glass, and plonk it on bar, all the while being ignored by the GG cashier and her tomboy GF. Ha! THAT is why she didn't go for the barfine two nights previously - she's 'wearing comfortable shoes.'

When they eventually deign to acknowledge my presence - I can cough discreetly and forcefully at the same time - I place my order. The conversation went thus:

Me: Gin tonic, please. In this glass. Lots of ice, plenty of manau.

GG: Single or double?

Me: Just a single, thanks.

GG: Have to charge double. Big glass.

Me: Mai, krab. Only want single. Lots of ice and manau.

At this point the TBGF has filled the glass to the brim with ice. Next, she starts to pour in the tonic - from an already open can: a can that had been sitting on the bar since before we arrived, some 1 hour previously.

Me: Whoa - what you do?

GG: Is tonic.

Me: Is OLD tonic. I want NEW tonic. Must always give customer fresh tonic.

GG (lying in a typically Thai fashion, I.e. barefacedly, and without any hint of shame): Is only open one minute.

By a Herculean effort, I manage to stop myself from screaming 'BULLSHIT!'

Me: Sweetie, you MUST give fresh tonic EVERY time for gin tonic. Or is no good.

(Thence ensued a short but boring debate re pricing/charging, which is tedious, so I'll spare you the details.)

Me: What's so difficult? All I want is a G&T in that glass, with lots of ice and manau. With fresh tonic.

By now, the TBGF has started drinking the already pored tonic from the glass, which just happens to be one-of-a-kind in King's bar. Khun Fon has also come behind the bar, and has started making a fresh G&T, in a smaller glass...

GG: Why you make problem? You get big glass, must have double.

Me: Khun Fon, stop. I not want. Sweetie, there WAS no problem, not until you yak-yak customer. No have customer now, so must be nice. If you yak-yak customer, they not come back. Bad for business.

And then I walk away. We check bin 1 minute later. We had been prepared to stay for some considerable time, but instead chose to take our custom elsewhere. Their loss.

I had been chatting with Meimei on planetromeo, and had offered to buy her a drink, but she hadn't read the message, despite my entreaty to do so. Later, we continued chatting, and I told her we would never come back - because of the GG cashier and her shitty attitude.

Meimei replied thus:

"I didn't know about that she good for me its OK"

See what I mean about how they never learn?

They will try the same shit the next night, and the night after, ad infinitum - with different customers and the SAME customer.

They just don't get it. The Cousin tells me he doesn't understand. I don't, either, but I tell him it's enough to know (that they do this) and that we are not meant to understand.

It's the same with ladies asking for drinks. You can explain to them that you don't buy drinks if they ask, but are MORE LIKELY to do so if they DON'T ask. You will be met with the blank stare of bovine stupidity. If you return the next night, you will be greeted with 'You buy me drink?'

Head. Brick wall. Bang.

Topsyturvyland will not change. We will still get frustrated, and we'll still come back door more. Does that mean we are enabling them? I think it does.

The Cousin wondered how a Western-managed bar would fare in Pattaya. My surmise is that the manager would be carted off to the loony bin within a week due to the intransigence and stupidity of the staff.

Perhaps I am being unfair. Make it TWO weeks...

[lance2546]

Parallel Universe man

 

A couple of thoughts:

 

1 Bar owners and staff could give a rat's ass about customers, they are focused on the short term. After all, tomorrow may never come.

 

2 Thailand hosted 11.7 million tourists in 2004; by 2013 arrivals skyrocketed to 26.7 million. From the "Industries" perspective there is always another sucker ready to walk through the door. (Data from Wiki)

 

I was in one of Pattaya's LB go-gos, the only customer in the bar. One aggressive LB hounded me for a drink to the point where I left. The owner was sitting maybe 10 feet away but didn't lift a finger because he was engrossed in his phone...

 

I see service levels continuing on a down ward spiral

 

PS- Sex sells

[bumblebee]

Yes, khun lance, you have it right.

We refer to it as the Nigerian Prince approach, after the internet scam (phishing, I believe it is called). Do it enough times, and you WILL get a bite.

The LB go-go - ropey chaps, I presume? No - exploding infant?

555 thanks for the chuckle this rainy morning Rt67.

[pdogg]

 I place my order. The conversation went thus:

Me: Gin tonic, please. In this glass. Lots of ice, plenty of manau.

 

Good thing u didn't order a chicken salad sandwich Rt67!   

[pdogg]

You lost me, old sport! Maybe smething to do with Cambo?!?

Your encounter above reminded me of a scene in 5 Easy Pieces old bean.

 

[Jimslim]

Your encounter above reminded me of a scene in 5 Easy Pieces old bean.

 

 

 

 

What a scene and what a movie! 

 

To be honest it unfortunately goes with the territory , much as we love Thailand for various reason ahem ahem ... customer service sure ain't gonna make the top 100 ..

 

As a side note I've just returned from Bumblebee's wedding shindig ......every time I  tried to speak I was handed another tin of cider or a chicken wing ....... the customer wasn't complaining there    

[ThaiMe]

Reminds me of the time I bought a bottle of Johnny Walker at Voodo Lounge in Nana.  We shared the bottle with all the ladies and the mamasan.   An hour later the bottle was empty and I was waiting for one of the ladies to change into street clothes so we could leave.  I was then asked if I wanted another drink.  I said no because I am waiting to leave.  I was then told that If I don't buy a drink I have to leave, What! stupid cunt I just bought the bar a drink.....  I never returned to the bar.   I was totally pissed off at the time, but looking back I have to laugh at myself for being a naive newbie.  I was wondering if there is a word in Thai for Customer Service?  I would be surprised if there is