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Re. “Unhappy tourists speak out” by Micaela Gilchrist, opinion, Feb. 2
In response to your column regarding the county and its full-time residents speed at handling matters for our temporary visitors:
1. When the number that come to the county outnumber us 50:1 — considering everyone is working which is not the case so let's adjust that ratio to 250:1, to account for children, retirees and part-time workers or seasonal workers now — how is one person suppose to satisfy every wish?
2. When one visits our mountain location, why is it they want to change it to “Their Hometown?” This area is not ever going to be California, Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, Indiana, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana, Missouri or any other location — or they would not bother to come here.
3. Is the customer or the tourist always right? It depends on the scenario or the issue at hand for over 35 years serving the general public has been with “tongue in cheek” to respond with the correct answer which is not always what the “customer” wants to hear.
4. Does living in a tourism-driven economy mean we have a duty to cater to every tourist's whim, no matter how eccentric? Bending over backwards is not going to please everyone — it just doesn't change. Each individual that arrives here in this county sees missing links, then wants things here to be the same as home and there are still those who think we are here to “cater” to their every desire. We are here to live the mountain life and earn an income through that effort, therefore it means from time to time someone is going to squawk about anything to hear themselves whine. Accept the fact that you are providing the best service possible and move on whether it means you lose a client/customer in the interim as their is always one more to fill the void.
5. Where do mountain communities draw the line between trying to please everyone and maintaining their integrity? Integrity is the key to my business and learning to say “no” is just one of those steps one needs to take in order to maintain one's sanity. Not everyone is dissatisfied with our services up here, so please the ones that return and forget the ones that truly only gain self-satisfaction from whining all the time. Whiners are consistent whether on vacation or at home base, so don't take them to heart and enjoy life without the headache of pleasing everyone. Give up on that concept and focus on (1) why are you here, (2) what do you want others to remember about you when you are gone and (3) how do you want to serve the influx when they are here? Get the idea this is a one-on-one community not a city dwellers paradise. We are mountain dwellers with wildlife as our neighbors so focus on the God-given beauty around you and hopefully others will, too.
6. Integrity exists within the individuals that want it to exist — don't give up on mankind especially in these mountains because we are here to protect, serve and enjoy the simplicity of mountain life.
2. When one visits our mountain location, why is it they want to change it to “Their Hometown?” This area is not ever going to be California, Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, Indiana, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana, Missouri or any other location — or they would not bother to come here.
3. Is the customer or the tourist always right? It depends on the scenario or the issue at hand for over 35 years serving the general public has been with “tongue in cheek” to respond with the correct answer which is not always what the “customer” wants to hear.
4. Does living in a tourism-driven economy mean we have a duty to cater to every tourist's whim, no matter how eccentric? Bending over backwards is not going to please everyone — it just doesn't change. Each individual that arrives here in this county sees missing links, then wants things here to be the same as home and there are still those who think we are here to “cater” to their every desire. We are here to live the mountain life and earn an income through that effort, therefore it means from time to time someone is going to squawk about anything to hear themselves whine. Accept the fact that you are providing the best service possible and move on whether it means you lose a client/customer in the interim as their is always one more to fill the void.
5. Where do mountain communities draw the line between trying to please everyone and maintaining their integrity? Integrity is the key to my business and learning to say “no” is just one of those steps one needs to take in order to maintain one's sanity. Not everyone is dissatisfied with our services up here, so please the ones that return and forget the ones that truly only gain self-satisfaction from whining all the time. Whiners are consistent whether on vacation or at home base, so don't take them to heart and enjoy life without the headache of pleasing everyone. Give up on that concept and focus on (1) why are you here, (2) what do you want others to remember about you when you are gone and (3) how do you want to serve the influx when they are here? Get the idea this is a one-on-one community not a city dwellers paradise. We are mountain dwellers with wildlife as our neighbors so focus on the God-given beauty around you and hopefully others will, too.
6. Integrity exists within the individuals that want it to exist — don't give up on mankind especially in these mountains because we are here to protect, serve and enjoy the simplicity of mountain life.
