hOw dO u tell sOmeoNe u dUn likE hIm tHe wAy he likEs u aFter he teLLs u he tHinks u're THE ONE (WTH?!)? hoW dO u tEll tHe sAme perSon u dun wAn tO eVen haVe dinneR w hIm on hIs biRthdaY cOs u wAnt tO dRaw a cLean liNe? hOw wLd u aCT oN botH sitUation, cAusing zerO huRt anD neGatiVe fEelingS? is iT eVen poSSible? hLp... i haVe leSs tHan 1.5 dAys tO deCide wAt tO dO aNd wAt tO sAy. aNy kInd of aDvice will be GREATLY apprEciated. tHanks huh.. i mAde tHe miStaKE oF sHitting iN mY owN gARden.. if i dUn dRAw a CLEAR line i'll dROwn in mY owN sHit sOon..

tHis rEminds me of sOmethinG sOmeonE sAid a loNg tIme aGo in a sImilaR sItuation.. tHe 'adVisor' tOld me plAinly, "nO maTter wHat u dO or sAy hE'll dEfinaTely be sAd oNe lO! tHe oNly dIFferENce is hOw hUrt he'll be.." gEez.. iTs kiNda tRue but plS lo.. tHAts tEcHnically NOT a sOlution..
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enOugh aBout dePressing sTuff.. hEre's an intEresting sTory ;)

A Million Dollar Lesson

by : Petey Parker

A cab driver taught me a million dollar lesson in customer satisfaction and expectation. Motivational speakers charge thousands of dollars to impart his kind of training to corporate executives and staff. It cost me a $12 taxi ride.

I had flown into Dallas for the sole purpose of calling on a client. Time was of the essence and my plan included a quick turnaround trip from and back to the airport. A spotless cab pulled up.

The driver rushed to open the passenger door for me and made sure I was comfortably seated before he closed the door. As he got in the driver's seat, he mentioned that the neatly folded Wall Street Journal next to me for my use. He then showed me several tapes and asked me what type of music I would enjoy.

Well! I looked around for a "Candid Camera!" Wouldn't you? I could not believe the service I was receiving! I took the opportunity to say, "Obviously you take great pride in your work. You must have a story to tell."

"You bet," he replied, "I used to be in Corporate America. But I got tired of thinking my best would never be good enough. I decided to find my niche in life where I could feel proud of being the best I could be.

I knew I would never be a rocket scientist, but I love driving cars, being of service and feeling like I have done a full day's work and done it well. I evaluate my personal assets and... wham! I became a cab driver.

One thing I know for sure, to be good in my business I could simply just meet the expectations of my passengers. But, to be GREAT in my business, I have to EXCEED the customer's expectations! I like both the sound and the return of being 'great' better than just getting by on 'average'"

Did I tip him big time? You bet! Corporate America's loss is the traveling folk's friend!