Definition of ‘ser·vice’
To the editor:
Work done for somebody else: work done by somebody for somebody else as a job, duty, punishment, or favor
Work for customers: work done for the customers of a store, restaurant, hotel, or similar establishment, often with regard to whether it pleases them or not.
These terms are definitions for service. I find it a travesty of what some people regard as service today or perhaps it’s that work is not appealing to some. When I shop or dine at a store or restaurant I want to be served. Is that too much to ask? I shop in a store spending my hard-earned dollars to buy merchandise, whether it be five dollars or five hundred dollars I am patronizing the merchant’s store. I want to be treated with kindness by the person who is assisting me in making my purchase. After working hard all week I may choose to dine out at a restaurant. Dining out should be a pleasure, whether the food is good or bad the least I want for my hard earned dollar is courteous service. Is it really too much to ask for a glass of water with lemon? Perhaps it is the proprieties’ negligence in teaching the employee the role which service requires in order to sustain and grow the business, or perhaps service is not a good fit for the individual which to that I say “please find a profession more suitable”. Whichever the case, as a paying customer I think lousy service is unacceptable! What ever happened to service with a smile?
John and Sandra Chapman
St. James City