I was at a hardware store with narrow aisles a few weeks ago.
A man walked up behind me and said “You getting through”! I thought he wanted to get by so I stood up and noticed he was a store employee so I asked him several questions before moving on. At the next store I went to a woman approached me and said “You getting through?” It was then I realized getting through or “Ya get through” means “Did you find what you’re looking for” or “Can I help you?”
In order for Barbados to remain a world class destination, it will need to continue to improve customer service! I know just the person to lead the charge!
Sandra and I along with our electrician Mikey went to Grimes Electric and Plumbing for supplies. The store is
a converted house in a neighborhood that I couldn’t find again if my life depended on it! It’s located at Springers and Hinesbury Roads in Saint Michael. Once you enter the front door you are just a few steps from the caged counter and a smiling Ms. Grimes, the owner of Grimes E&P.
After exchanging pleasantries we moved to the side as we had to wait on our large order. I was very thirsty from our trip to the store in Mikey’s car, which had hand-cranked windows and no AC! Can you believe that? I can’t remember the last time I saw hand-cranked windows! For crying out loud, it’s 2016!
Anyway, I noticed people making smaller purchases were also getting snacks and drinks.” Hmmm, a hardware/variety store?” I thought to myself as I approached Ms. Grimes. I asked for something to drink and she went into the kitchen and returned with a drink and bag that contained nuts, cookies and crackers for each of us. I asked her how much I owed her she said “Nothing love, it’s free!”
Later, Mikey laughed and told me that he thinks the locals stop by for lunch because it doesn’t matter if you
spend $2.00 or $2,000.00 everyone is treated the same!
As we left with our order Ms. Grimes gave us the receipt, another cold drink for the road and a thank you note for doing business with Grimes E&P!
So the question is are we (getting through) to young people and young entrepreneurs of Barbados about the importance of the service industries? Do they understand our motto “Pride and Industry”?
I close with 2 young men that understand. One young man was so engaging as he was selling fresh juices he made, that I gave him a 100% tip. The other young man saw a book that I purchased at a grocery store and began discussing the author as we walked to the car, he got a nice tip also!
With people like the 2 young men and Ms. Grimes we’ll all “get through” in all we do!
I close with a funny story that explains why I love Barbados! This occurred after the original posting of this blog. We needed directions to the Central Bank of Barbados after conducting business at the Treasury Building in Bridgetown. There was a security person at the front desk.
Sandra:“Do you know where the Central Bank is?”
Guard: “Yes!” Then he smiled at Sandra, looked at me, then back at Sandra. I looked at the guard then looked at Sandra and back at the guard. There was a short awkward pause.
Calvin: “Uh, can you tell us how to get there?”
Guard: “Sure no problem, you go out the double doors then you turn right…..
I had two options either get upset that the he was being or smart aleck or enjoy the Bajan sense of humor, I chose the latter. But come to think of it, he did answer the question “Do you know where the Central Bank is?”