The Good Customer

~The sum of "all good"~

Such great Chinese restaurants in Greater Vancouver. I often wish that the food quality was on par with their service. I have seriously stopped pining for good service in these types of restaurants. Recently I made a visit to EMPIRE CHINESE RESTAURANT in Richmond, BC. First, not having to wait for a table is like having the gates of heaven open up. We were seated, served tea, and proceeded to order. Nothing exciting in terms of service. However there is not much service that can be offered after the food is brought to the table. Or is there? Maybe after visiting countless Chinese restaurants I have been conditioned to expect less? I found myself looking around to the other tables; the other customers… everyone looked happy enough. No disgruntled customers to be seen. Although I did witness some unpleasant customer behaviour. It’s a challenge to be a “good customer” in a restaurant with a constant cacophony of clanging dishes and chatter. In this situation it is sometimes necessary to be a “loud customer”. Perhaps the personnel have been conditioned to the behaviours of their customers and have adopted an attitude of indifference? I was on my way out the door feeling yet again unmoved with the customer service when not one, but TWO of the personnel looked me in the eye and said “thank you”. And I think I may have caught a glimpse of a smile. Wow! It’s amazing how 2 little words can change one’s experience. From being unmoved I now felt good… felt good about visiting the restaurant, felt good about spending my money there, and felt good enough to write about my experience. Low expectations or good experience? You decide.

Dim sum goodness + “thank you” = the sum of “all good”

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You say ice cream – I scream “dumplings”! Where most households keep a staple of creamy dairy goodness in their freezers, there is a staple of “meat & veg-filled” morsels of goodness in our freezer. There are a plethora of places where you can purchase these dumplings in the city. But I am loyal to YUMMY DUMPLING in Richmond, BC. It’s a very small store – more like a kiosk inside the marketplace of Aberdeen Centre. The staff are extremely friendly. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when you are faced with a cooler full of dumpling choices. They are keen to offer suggestions and even give you a few good cooking tips. I always have a pleasant “customer experience” here…. as well as a pleasant gastronomical experience.

~Thumbs Up for Yummy Dumpling!~

~Trays of frozen goodness~

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