Professionalism and Service

Do you remember what those words used to mean? I remember when there were expectations of employees and you could fire their bums if they weren't in compliance. I remember when supervisors were required to have some people management skills or at least were versed in how to appropriately handle issues of performance. There was a time, I swear, when if you did something wrong on the job the boss actually TALKED to you about it and documented the interaction as training on a subject if necessary.

But then I am old.

I remember when tip meant gratuity, as in I am grateful for the EXTRA effort you put into your job so I feel you deserve a bit extra than your pay. I remember when the customer was right or you were ushered to a manager with apologies for your inconvenience. there really used to be a concept of comping an unhappy guest just to retain their business. I swear.

I remember when asking for someone's supervisor meant you got a name and number not the run around. But then, I also remember when I was miss not Ma'am.

Here's the thing. Good manners, service with a smile, a professional attitude, and simply polite behavior used to be a good thing. What is the world coming to when these things are mere memories of the archaic?