Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Positives and Negatives.

As anyone who works in the service industries knows, you can't make everyone happy all the time. I know it's impossible, yet I always try anyway. Some people you just can't please, and, let's face it, not everyone is going to like my massage. I've learned to be philosophical about it.

Here are two examples of comment cards that clients left at the front desk.
I covered the contact information, of course.

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In case you can't read it, the lady wrote: "Stress relief massage from Christina was just mediocre. She is very pokey with her fingers. But I did feel very relaxed upon completion."

I like constructive criticism, but I don't quite know what to make of being "pokey with" my fingers! Hey, and the lady was very relaxed at the end! That's better than a fork in the eyeball, right? A stress relief massage at our spa is a 25 minute shoulder, neck, and back massage, by the way.

The following lady had quite a different experience, she had a 50 minute, full body Swedish massage:

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She said, if you can't make it out: "Christina was out of this world, unique and awesome Rub The Best! and quiet"

I guess the fact that I didn't babble during the massage made her happy. :)

I do recall that she told me twice that I had outstanding technique!

To me, the trick is to take something from both positive AND negative feedback, but especially not to let any negative comments get me down.

And to not take them personally, since everyone has a right to their opinion.

5 comments:

Chuck said...

You'd make a good proctologist with those pointy fingers!

If I were your client I'd leave a comment something along these lines..."Christina was a very attentive provider, unfortunately her constant need to probe my ass with her pointy fingers made me feel a bit uncomfortable." LOL

Bent said...

Man, sounds like an orgasm was almost had with that massage...

Christina RN LMT said...

Chuck, I have no desire to anally probe anyone. Really. ESPECIALLY not you...;)

Bent, she was a moaner, too. Only my second one! She was a quiet one, though, thank God. It was a side-by-side massage with her husband a few feet away, and while she was face down, I kept thinking I was hearing things! Then, after she was turned over, I realized I was hearing very quiet "mmmmmmm"s.
It's all good!

phlegmfatale said...

Perzackley - sorta split the difference on the comments, except for one thing: for some clients, you WILL be the ultimate perfect techincian, and on others, they'll be craving something else. Just chalk it up to the gluteal-cleft weirdos. You can't please everyone, so accept it and just do your best.

Christina RN LMT said...

Phlegm, it takes you a while to get to that realization. Some people never do.
My colleague A. actually got a thank-you card in the mail yesterday, from a lady who had her very first massage from A. back in January while vacationing in Vegas.
A. said she'd take the card over a hundred-dollar tip! I said I'd take the card AND a hundred-dollar tip...:)