Singapore - Do It With A Smile!

I’m sitting in the Singapore Changi Airport waiting to board my flight to Melbourne I’m always surprised how friendly people are here, everyone smiles all the time, it seems that way anyway. This attitude of the local people has a profound effect on everyones stress levels.

Having ben here before and after spending the last 24 hours here I can say there are no signs here, reminding the customer not to abuse the staff. Why is that?

I think it is fair to say that the government tries to influence all people living in Singapore in many aspects of daily life, no chewing gum, no littering and so on. They also started the “always smile” trend in Singapore, with profound results. You feel safe her, it is clean and you feel welcome. People in hotels, restaurants and other places go out of their way to give you a good customer experience.

There is no talk about it, it is just being done in a friendly way. I’m sure people here are not any more happy or less troubled then elsewhere, but they have learned that being friendly helps you to get things done in a more positive way, with less stress for themselves, their customers and it will not create barriers to future business.

There is something to be learned here - it’s called good customer care - I’m convinced this is they way to deal with customers and not to put up signs. — ST.

10 Responses to “Singapore - Do It With A Smile!”

1. John
   
   Said on March 22nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm

   Lovely country isn’t it. There’s a lot we cold learn from them when it comes to good customer service, there’s is undoubtedly some of the best in the world.

2. Vicky
   
   Said on March 23rd, 2008 at 2:31 am

   I was glad to read your post. I find this to be a problem with businesses here in the US. Glad to see one country that’s getting it right! Friendly, competent customer service should be #1 for businesses but seems to be low on the totem pole in favor of the almighty dollar these days.

3. World Signia™ » Stop-over in the Lion City - Singapore.
   
   Said on March 23rd, 2008 at 8:15 pm

   [...] we stopped over in the Lion City aka Singapore. It always amazes me how clean Singapore is and how friendly everybody is here, [...]

4. Stefan Töpfer
   
   Said on March 23rd, 2008 at 8:47 pm

   Hi John, hi Vicky,

   Thank you for your comment.

   I got an email thanking me for the stay in the Singapore Hyatt Hotel for one night. I know it all is marketing, but this is just another example how something can be pleasing and commercial at the same time.

   Stefan

5. Emily Coltman
   
   Said on March 31st, 2008 at 4:39 pm

   Hi Stefan,

   Wow, that’s impressive - a thank you e-mail for a one-night stay.

   Being a cynical accountant I have to ask, did that e-mail also ask you to do anything in return - e.g. post a plug for them on TripAdvisor?

   M

6. YC
   
   Said on May 24th, 2008 at 2:47 am

   I am pretty sure this is exclusive to tourist centric areas in Singapore. Undoubtedly it is required to encourage visitors from abroad to like the place and possibly make return visits, but for many locals, they find a real lack of customer service standards. However, I do believe this is quite possibly prevalent in many other countries (although it does not make it ‘ok’.)

7. Carrie T
   
   Said on August 6th, 2008 at 12:30 am

   Wow. That sounds so nice to be in a place where you actually feel appreciated. So many companies are failing in the customer service department when it should be their focus. I have been reading a customer service book that has been about getting back to the basics and creating loyal customer attachments. I wish more businesses could see the importance of this.

8. Don
   
   Said on August 9th, 2008 at 1:50 am

   I have visited Singapore twice and I’m always taken back by how clean everything is. I think it largely has to do with respect for oneanother and a little homeland pride.

9. karla
   
   Said on November 11th, 2008 at 1:44 am

   can anyone please tell me a website where i can check the factors of production of singapore as land, labor, capital and technology?

10. www.laserpics.co.uk
    
    Said on March 27th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Service with a smile is paramount, it wins customers as long as it’s real. A fake smile has the exact opposite effect!!

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