The SURPRISE party

You only get today, tomorrow is not today and today is no indication of tomorrow. You know those birthday parties where everyone shouts "SURPRISE" as you enter the room, well nothing prepares you for that and there is nothing to fall back on if you are not the party type or not in the mood for a party. It is out of your hands as to when, where, how...you simply fit in to the plan. If there is anything about the party that sucks you are sworn by yourself not to say a word and just go with the flow.

Life also does it, "SURPRISE" I mean. Today might be as normal as any other day and before you know it life shouts at you with a big smile and bright balloons. Sometimes you find those surprises that are good like a raise in salary, a big win or simply a planned vacation finally arriving. Life also has those not so good surprises. For example you buy a car from dealership X and expect a brand new car to bring you years and years of joy only to find out that life is going to be shouting surprise a lot more when it comes to that car. As soon as problem 1 is fixed another one comes along.

Enough said. But what do we do about the "SURPRISE" in service. When going to a shop or buying a product we expect it to deliver and exceed our expectations. If this does not happen do we speak up or simply let it slide by hoping that next time it might be better. The truth here is that life will shout "SURPRISE" each time you visit that shop or buy that product and eventually you will just not buy it anymore or go there anymore and what good does that do? Is it not right that we pop a balloon once or twice and say thanks for the "SURPRISE" but I think I will speak to a manager or phone the hotline displayed on the product. That way you lessen the chances of being surprised in a bad way and more likely to be surprised in a good way upon return.

There are some surprises that will never be in our control but then there are those that can be changed and not only when it comes to service. I think it is important to remember that at the end of every party it is up to us to thank everyone for coming, so we do have the final say even if it is only in a small way. Its just about finding the right words.