What I Learned

Finding peace by revisiting experiences, examining lessons learned, and letting go of what is not useful!

In anticipation of retiring for the second time, this time from the hospitality industry, I felt a need to use the occasion to revisit experiences, evaluate what I had learned, and take the opportunity to let go of what would not serve me for the rest of my life. This activity will memorialize what I have observed, and ask some questions that bring those observations to clarity. Wishfully I am hoping that what I have observed can then be left in the past, and what I have learned can be productively applied to the future!

One of my "Ah Ha!" moments has been the realization that some things are just not worth wondering about! An example is the phenomenon of how guests can travel half way around the world with absolutely no idea where they are going, who will meet them, what their accommodations are or how to access them. Being a detail person, I always travel with information that answers all these uncertainties. I know where I am going, what my accommodations are to be, how I will access them, and who will be assisting me in the new environment.

Since this is intrinsic to me, I assumed it applied to everyone! Wrong! Also wrong was my assumption that just because I sent all this information to the traveling guest along with a request to copy and bring all the information with them, that it would be accomplished. Early in this job, I realized that the instructions meant nothing to many people. They did not read them. They did not copy them. They flat out did not care! That led me to a new question: Why?

That is when I leaned that there is always someone to watch out for these people! In my case, it was ME! I guess you could call that job security. Since the traveler was clueless, they relied on me, regardless of the hour, to make their visit seamless. I was responsible for getting them to their destination, getting them into their accommodation, and at some point, even finding out who they were! They could be irresponsible, disorganized, and unprepared---because I was! So I learned not to expect what was normal for me to even apply to anyone other than me! Whew! What a relief that was to understand that my expectations and patterns were mine alone and not shared with the universe!

And as for the traveler that did not have their act together, if things went horribly wrong, well, it made a great story back home when some one invariably asked how their trip was! At that point I would either become the hero for rescuing them, or the dog for causing them to be unprepared! Whatevah!

Another lesson that I learned over and over again was about the use of what to me was typical household items. After trying to get hot water for days and failing, a guest would call me with the accusation that there was something wrong with the hot water and with the shower! Upon examining the water, it became obvious that this was a case of operator error. Turning on the cold water seldom creates a warm shower.

From this I learned that things operate differently all over the world....and that the skills of iteration, trial and error, problem solving are not taught universally. This same ability to adjust applies to fans, AC units, dishwashers, washing machines, internet systems, TV's, toilets, stoves, hair dryers, and any other item that has working parts. Usually people were able to adjust once shown how to operate a system, as long as they did not have to face any effort or were expected to read any instructions. Yea!!!

I then observed that it was considered acceptable to visit another's residence and move furniture to suit the visitors needs. Furniture, light fixtures, plugs, appliances, paintings, mirrors, there was just no limit to the numbers and types of things that could be moved, removed, or dismantled to accommodate the visitor. Apparently the owner of the items just had no idea how much better they would be if things they owned were adjusted to fit the temporary visitor!

Along those same lines I learned that it was ok to use every towel and sheet in the linen closet but never touch the towels put out for their use or the sheets that were made up on the bed. If the towels and sheets were not actually used, no worries, just put them in a heap on the floor and the "maid" would take care of them! "What, no maid? What is this place?" I get it! Different economic classes have different habits!

Among the most useful things I have learned is that time is relative! It is ok to come 2-3 hours prior to the time you are expected---or 2-3 hours later than the time you are expected. No biggie! Also it is just as ok to leave 4-5 hours later than you were planning to leave. Departure times are adjustable after all. Adjust! Its all happening on the same day!

These are just a few of the many things I observed and learned in working with guests from around the nation and around the world. I am thankful for the opportunity to live through these learning experiences. They have helped me I hope to become a kinder, more patient, more accepting and understanding person! NOT!