Just a simple smile will do...

OK...I've been sitting on this one for a couple of weeks, if for no other reason than I didn't want to start another server bashing thread...But in the end I decided it might be worth tossing about the seeming insignificance of a simple smile.

I found myself in St. Matthews about lunch time recently (something that doesn't happen too often) and recalling several threads mentioning the local fish shops I thought to try Stan's for the first time.
So I walk in and I am greeted (and I use the word "greeted" loosely) by a young woman who's dead pan "whattle ya have ?" carried with it about as much enthusiasm as one would get from one of the Cod fillets in the back. The verbal exchange that followed went something like this:

<smiling>...Well this is my first time here. What's good ?
<insert expressionless face and bored wave of the hand toward chalkboard menu>: "It's all good".
<smiling>...Well what is you most popular menu item ?
<insert continued bored expressionless face and roll of the eyes>: "It's ALL popular, now what can I get you ?
<no longer smiling> Well jeez, ya know what...it all looks so good that I think I'll take a "To Go" menu and examine it at my leisure. Perhaps I will find something that appeals to me and return another time.
<insert sound of retreating customer and sound of door closing behind him and his wallet>.

Sooooooo, I walk down the street to "The Fishery" and the following exchange occurs:

<insert big smile> "How are you today sir ? What can I get for you today ?
<insert customer smile> Well, I've never been here before. What's good.
At this point the lady walks around the counter, stands in front of the chalk menu and <smiling> proceeds to give me the total run down of the menu.
" Well gee" it all sounds so good, what do you recommend ?
"Well, I recommend the Cod sandwich to all my new customers, we think it's one of the best in town"
"OK, well I'll have a Cod Sandwich. Is there any chance I can get that on a bun or roll instead of bread ?
<smiling> "Certainly sir. One Cod Sandwich on a roll". <smiling> "Will there be anything else" ?

My point here is not to slam Stan's (although I can fairly say I won't be back) but to point out the difference a simple smile (and a little enthusiasm) can make. As I said, I don't get down to St. Matts at lunchtime very often but everything else being equal, I'll take the smiling lady at the Fishery over the alternative any day.

Not to slam Stan's, either but I think that The Fishery has a better straight up and down fried fish sammie. The also have a location at 11519 Shelbyville Rd in Middletown which is a mite closer for ya, Steve.

I think that The Fishery has a better straight up and down fried fish sammie.

I was about to say the same thing. However, I go to Stan's more frequently because I really enjoy their simple, fresh grilled fish. I also enjoy the onion rings, oysters and all of the other fired items more at Stan's. I also like their tarter sauce better.

But when it comes to straight-up fish sandwich, it's Fishery.

A little tangental, but I also appreciate a server (or counter person) who when I ask "what's good" will tell me what they like (and why if they have time) instead of " . . . . is popular". For Pete's sake, just because something is popular doesn't mean it's the best thing on the menu.

I agree, Robin, although sometimes I will advise those of my staff who are vegetarians to recommend "popular" non-veggie dishes when someone asks, since they will have no point of reference. Otherwise, I train my staff to recommend the dishes they like and talk about them with the customer.

I do love The Fishery. It's old-school, comfortable, family-run -- and the food and service are consistently good.

Stan's makes a mean grilled talapia, but the woman who's been behind the counter the last several times I've been there has been annoyingly incapable of basic human friendliness. I was ready to choke her before I'd even finished ordering, the last time I was there. Probably won't go back anytime soon.

I sometimes wonder if I'm too sensitive/suggestible, because a friendly smile can brighten my day immeasurably, and a snotty, bored brat who hates his/her gig can dramatically dampen things.

Smiling and being pleasant to others also makes the smiler feel a whole lot better about himself and the world surrounding him.

I, too, prefer the Fishery. The new location in Middletown is terrific and the people there couldn't be nicer.

I, too, prefer the Fishery. The new location in Middletown is terrific and the people there couldn't be nicer.

Definitely a true fact! We love going there. As you stated the help is always friendly and the food is wonderful.