Pampering service standards

Ever wonder where all the good service outlets went? Ever wonder where all the smiles and sincere greetings disappeared? Have you seen how the STARBUCKS standards have fallen below average in the past few years in KSA? well I know where they are brewing, in ASIA.

It takes you by surprise when you visit an Asian destination of choice and see what service is all about. It should be forced upon all layers of management to visit hotels, coffee shops, shopping malls and retail outlets during their job, frequently. Did I forget the airlines? have you travelled SAUDIA lately, even after word that its going for IPO? did things change? or do they have a great job at finding the worst living souls and plug them in service seats at the airport and stick a phone to their skull and demand they answer the phone?

I honestly think they give bad service a new meaning. So back to my original subject at hand, service in Asia. Ahhh, what can I say. Ideas flow, pains and stress are all relieved and released, smiles are in the air, you feel humble once again, sometimes you say to yourself enough " I could get used to this", only problem there is when you get back home and get the smiles from immigration and try to find your luggage alongside 20,000 other pilgrims and frequent flyer's.

Trying to be better is a given in KSA, its the walking the talk that sucks. When was the last time you saw an airport official greet you with a smile? when did you get served? when was the last time you had a fully confirmed booking stay that way, not lost to someone else? when was the last tim you had a good meal at the airport, not from a useless franchise operator who monopolized the airports with overpriced, tasteless food and coffee? when was the last time you saw a good food joint in the airport?

Did you compare the lounges at King Abdulaziz Airport and the much smaller Bahrain airport? At Bahrain you get meals on demand, cooked to your taste and liking, in Jeddah you get cheese sandwiches which look like they came out of someones underarm!

Do I see an awakening in the Arab world, one that wants to prove it Can DELIVER, or am I dreaming? I think we can, I hope my son gets to enjoy it!