Dear Editor,
I visited the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday and was attended by a young lady who involuntarily obliged me to write to you.
I am not computer savvy. The only things that I can do on a computer without hesitation are to type a letter or look up the weather channel. Because of this I go personally to pay my bills.
I continue to hear complaints about the lack of “customer care” by the different offices on the island where bills have to be paid and service given. I personally have not really experienced negative treatment, which I believe is because I usually make the person attending to me comfortable from the onset. Notwithstanding, I was present on a few occasions where I thought things could have been handled differently by the attendant.
My concern though is that getting information via the telephone is different. It takes self-control and patience. Which to me is understandable, because parties cannot see each other's facial expressions, there is no personal contact, no perception of body language. As is a custom, words are often taken out of context and/or misinterpreted. I dare say that this happens too often because even if it happens one time, one time is too often.
Like I stated at the beginning of this letter, I found myself obliged to write to you because of the professional treatment I received from that young lady at the Chamber of Commerce. I congratulated her on that on leaving the office. I will not mention a name because I do not believe in singling out people publicly whether good or bad because there is always a reason for good or bad behavior. Oftentimes it is the influence, whether good or bad, of the parents and not to omit in too many cases the lack of both parents.
From the time I entered the door of the Chamber of Commerce until I left there were only positive vibes. I chose to remain standing at the counter at the entrance of the office while waiting for the person who was busy attending to a client. During this time, which was approximately 10 minutes, three different workers approached me ready to attend to me. I told them who I was waiting for. When it was my turn and I sat down and spoke to the young lady I earlier referred to the pleasant way in which I was welcomed, was just the beginning of the professional way in which my visit continued.
I went to that office for information and at the end of my visit I did not have to return, because I was guided step by step and in addition to getting the information I went for, I also completed my business. I went to that office with the presumption that this is going to be another “go come back”. I was wrong.
I am aware that not everyone will get through like I did, because that is the reality, but I tip my hat to whomever is leading that office.
In light of the above I will say this. Of late several other things are being imposed upon the people of this country, which brings the word “inconsiderate” to mind. I do not believe in leaving a text or an email and expect me to rely on my phone or computer to know everything. When I get home I look for my wife and my children, not a computer or phone. And whether they like to hear it or not or whether it is an excuse or not, everybody is putting the bad reception of the phone and the slow working computer on the Internet, which in turn again have to take them right back to the office to be attended to by those same persons who they complain about.
So because service is prime where there is tourism, what about doing something which could serve the people positively; for instance, in-depth courses in “customer care”, which would benefit both our tourism product as well as the taxpayer?
By the way, we are constantly complaining about the motorbike riders. It is time enough we start doing the same thing to the drivers of heavy equipment, trailer-trucks and dump trucks. They also drive very recklessly and irresponsibly over the roads. The speed limit is still 30 and 50 kilometers per hour. The streets of St. Maarten have not grown and the curves and corners are still the same. Respect your fellow driver.
Russell A. Simmons
