A couple of months ago, I typed up a hand written account of how my mothers fathers family arrived to the Valley, and became more interested. Unlike most families I know, only three known relatives are buried in cemeteries; recently deceased relatives have had their ashes buried in my grandmother’s front yard. And, although that would be an interesting account to retell, I would rather write about my most recent cemetery account.
Yesterday, as I was getting ready to meet up with a friend and her sister for lunch and coffee, I had the brilliant idea to visit the local cemetery and find the one relative I had buried there in the ‘40s. Surprisingly, they agreed!
Although we could not find the grave, it was interesting and gloomy, reading all the tombstones; especially the children. To see that whole families, through the generations, laid to rest while markers for Unknown(s) were laid right next to them, unattended.
While walking through a section of the cemetery, it took me a couple of minutes to realize what area I was at. In the future, I would like to avoid the children’s section. Between years and months, their ages spanned. Some had no names, only living hours or days. What a hard life it must have been to live in the Valley at the beginning of the 20th century.
Among the graves, you could see when a tragedy occurred. One grave stated “Male Japanese Died” (see photo). Another reads “Burned Unknown Male, 1909.” Perhaps in addition to old newspapers and records, information from the past can also be found in the cemeteries.
For this week, I take the trophy for being an odd friend, who invites her friends to the cemetery on a bright summery day to find a long lost relative. But I can deal with that – I would do it again!
When in the employment which serves the general public, it is always good to be aware of others body language. This useful tool will help enhance your skills with dealing with difficult or stubborn customers.
Today, as I began to show a customer, anonymous of course, around the hotel, I noticed his silence and unwillingness to follow my lead. What does that tell you?
It tells me, the observer, that the customer will come down later to look and wants to go up to their room. And seeing as I was following the language of the customer, I complied. He seemed most pleased, and did come down in a better mood (and new room, but that is another story). I then showed him around the hotel, pointing out items and information I could not do before.
Although I felt I had accomplished a successful body language read, my employer did not share my enthusiasm. My employer was shocked and disappointed at my apparent unwillingness to make the customer follow my walkthrough.
So, as a beginning observationist into body language, I succeeded where the customer was concerned. However, I failed at complying to my employers demands. Which could lead into another discussion of:
“Who is really always correct: Your Employer or Your Customer?”
So, should any readers like to discuss, what is your take? Should people pay attention to customer’s body language and comply, or go by what your employer has demanded?
Until then, have a great day and enjoy the weather!
