we're trapped in the mirror! :O
Today's experience in Starbucks was really bad. Firstly, the ice-water had dirt in them. After i ask to change for another cup, the 2nd cup was not washed properly and still had coffee stains on the rim. I asked for a change again, and this time, it had dirt on the rim. I gave up changing cups though. But I mean customers pay for the GST and do not deserve to get dirty cutleries, plates or cups. No matter how good the food is, if there are dirty cutleries, it will still upset my stomach. I'm not trying to pinpoint Starbucks (I LOVE STARBUCKS TO THE CORE CAN), I just want to say that the current service standard in Singapore still has lots of rooms for improvement.
I know its tough and tiring trying to improve, because I myself used to work as a service staff before, and I sure know the hard labour! But seeing the smiles of customers should be what service staffs aim to achieve everyday, not just a single day. I love to see customers walking away thanking us for our services, and I would love to see them come back again because I gain the satisfactory knowing that our food and service is good.
Furthermore, the IR is going to be built by 2010, in just 2 years time! If we don't improve the service standards now, who knows how long will we take to start AND see how much we've improve? Surely we don't wish the huge and majestic IR to be left with the staff members but not guests. If the IR is built and our service standard is still not improved, there's no telling if words will spread to the rest of the world that Singapore has a beautiful Integrated Resort, but the service standard are total boo-boos.
Improving the service standard not only attracts more tourists to Singapore, it also rises our standard of living to a certain extent. We would have excellent services, prosperous economy, high quality products, and this would gradually turns Singapore into a more elegant (?) society. From the low-middle and middle-classes, we would be raised to the middle-high and high classes.
Therefore, services does quite a big impact on Singapore's current economy and social factors. In order for Singapore to prosper, we should see the pattern in the direction Singapore aims to head to every year. For example, in the 1980s-1990s, there seemed to be a lack of teachers in Singapore (i think). There were many advertisements and tv-series about teachers or the teaching career. Now, there were more reality tv-series showcasing the cooks/F&B staff/bartenders because the IR was introduced. Thus, it is hinting that there is a higher need for employees in the F&B industry in near-future.
So the bottomline is, Singapore's service standards should be improved, Singapore has only 2 years of preparation before the IR is finally opened. Then, it will be a rare chance for Singapore to shine and glimmer in the light of hope.