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What is "Good Service"? - 1/19/2011 6:26:22 AM

OttersSwim

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"You have to know what the customer wants before he even realises it himself".
Michel Roux

We are watching this show. It is called "Service" and it is currently on the BBC stations in England. We are downloading it from the internet. It is about the restaurant business - specifically the front of house line of servers, maitre Ds, and sommeliers. Which, if you think about it, can have a lot in common with the sorts of service we talk about here. This guy, Michel Roux, takes eight young kids and runs them through a crash course in food and customer service from diners to catering to serving at white glove formal dinners. Sort of a reality show with some bonehead people and some very bonehead moments, but very interesting for folk interested in learning as much as they can about that line of dining service!

My recent experience of participating in a high-protocol dinner got me on this track of learning more about that sort of top-level white glove table service and how handy that would be for a submissive to know and be able to actually do. Reading on Michel Roux's BBC blog this morning I found the quote above and started thinking about "good service" and what it might mean to the various folk here on CM.

So what is your definition of "Good Service"?
Is there a level of "anticipation of your needs" involved, or is it more of a "just do what I tell you" track for you?
What are some areas that you think important for submissives to focus on learning more about in order to give better service?

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/19/2011 6:30:38 AM

Madame4a

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just replying quickly.. but I often say...

silent+anticipatory=good service ....

that's simple and yes, it really is much more complex and individual

I think really good anticipatory service is hard to achieve and requires a great deal of experience with the person you are serving

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/19/2011 7:10:42 AM

LadyPact

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Otters, you may have just stumbled across a good way to put what I've been saying around here for years.

There are a few areas where I think a submissive should have an awareness about regarding service, even if it's not the standard way that things are done for his Domme. Learning how to serve at a high protocol dinner (that's everything from how to lay the table through proper wine service) falls into that category. At some point or another, it's going to come in as useful knowledge. Whether that be at home for a special occasion or an event like the one that you recently attended, there's a good chance that the skills are going to come into play.

I do expect at least a minimal level of anticipatory service. I really don't want to have to tell My boy that My glass is empty if we're sitting in the same room. (I drink diet pepsi pretty consistently so I actually feel this is a no brainer.) If we're headed to the munch of Saturday, I shouldn't have to tell someone on Friday that My boots need polish. Normal, every day house stuff, even more so. If dinner's over, there's no reason I should have to tell a grown person that the dishes need to be done.

I'm of the mind set that anticipatory service is one of those areas that increase the longer folks have been involved in a dynamic. For example, somebody who was new to being in service to Me probably wouldn't do as good of a job in packing the toy bag for a trip as I feel that clip should be by now.

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/19/2011 10:14:49 AM

MasterFireMaam

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quote:

ORIGINAL: OttersSwim
So what is your definition of "Good Service"?

Orders being carried out correctly.

quote:

Is there a level of "anticipation of your needs" involved, or is it more of a "just do what I tell you" track for you?

"Do what We tell them." They are instructed to ask what is Our wish for just about everything they do. If they thought We might want a bottle of water, they'd offer that service, asking if it was Our wish for them to get Us one rather than just getting Us one.

An additional comment here: they learn what the larger order looks like when given the abbreviated one. Sometimes that looks like anticipatory service. For example, the abbreviated order, "Do the litter boxes," actually means, scoop the litter, bag it, throw it away and sweep the litter tracked or spilled on the floor... except if they need to be changed completely, in which case you bag all the old litter, fill in the new litter, then sweep. Giving those precise orders every time wastes time, so writing that out, then teaching them the abbreviated order is more efficient. That makes Us happy.

quote:

What are some areas that you think important for submissives to focus on learning more about in order to give better service?

The difference between being pleasing and being obedient. For some Household, there is no difference. For Ours, there is a hugely fundamental difference.

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/19/2011 1:09:32 PM

DesFIP

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I can cook or serve a high protocol meal. I'd rather not. Did too many of those as a kid since my father was a CEO of a multinational corp. I can, and have, entertained ambassadors and heads of states., admittedly small states but still. I'd rather be the one ordering the meal and overseeing the caterer or the private chef.

But the truth is, that because I had to attend so many of these sorts of things for years, it holds no interest now. It held no interest then, but then I didn't have a choice. I am a thousand times happier with a man who doesn't much care what I'm serving for dinner as long as it's ready when he comes in. And one who is appreciative of him not having to come home and cook for himself after a long day.

Although I probably know a dozen ways to decoratively fold a napkin. I have no shame and will ask a waiter to demonstrate a new fold.

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/19/2011 1:18:58 PM

LaTigresse

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Madame4a

just replying quickly.. but I often say...

silent+anticipatory=good service ....

that's simple and yes, it really is much more complex and individual

I think really good anticipatory service is hard to achieve and requires a great deal of experience with the person you are serving

This explains it well for me.

It goes back to the old topic of 'experience' and why I don't give a fig about previous experience because the previous D or M isn't ME. I want someone willing to get to know ME. To learn MY wants and needs and how and when to anticipate them. It really isn't difficult or complex. It's all about paying attention and asking questions.

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/19/2011 9:05:01 PM

MaamJay

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I'm very much in the same vein as LadyPact (which often happens!). A new sub's training incorporates information about what I like and how I want things done. As they become more familiar with that, I expect them to be anticipatory to a point such as doing the dishes without being told, or asking "Is this a good time to do the dishes Ma'am?" which gives Me chance to say "No, I'd prefer you to do x" if that's the case.

With reference to food and drink, it's a house rule here that a sub never gets extra food or drink without first asking the D(s) whether they want something. So when it's just Master and i, if i am thirsty and i come out of my study to the fridge, i first ask Him whether He wants a drink or anything else. If I have a sub in the place, he (or she) is expected to ask both of us. That said, because Master is a kind gentleman, if He has got up for any reason, He will often pop His head into my study and ask me if i want something while He is up. That however, is a privilege, not a right to expect it.

However, it would be going beyond for a sub to assume something like "for lunch i will make a meat and salad roll because that's what we've had the past 3 days". That sort of anticipation isn't good, asking what the D(s) want is required. We might want an omelette for a change! i still ask Master exactly what He wants in His sandwich, because He has so many different options ... which meat? Cheese or not? Lettuce leaves or not? Pickle, relish or neither? Even i got into trouble the other day as i decided i wanted beetroot on mine and didn't ask Him ... He's never had beetroot on a sandwich in all these years (on Aussie-style burgers yes), so it didn't even enter my head to ask ... and then He got all disappointed and pointed out that i was assuming His wants, even basing it on nearly 7 years experience! He had a good point!

So for us, good service is a lot about obedience, a bit about anticipating and a lot about asking the right clarifying questions if necessary and not assuming what you don't know!

Maam Jay aka violet[A]

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/19/2011 10:24:38 PM

Tantriqu

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Anticipatory Service is sexy.

It's the thoughtful stuff that gets most females: a comic, Carol Leifer said, 'If only men knew what really gets our panties wet: taking out the garbage unbidden AND relining the bin'. And another said, 'No man has ever been shot while he was scrubbing the toilet'.

Personally, when a cup of tea shows up at my elbow, or a good man shows up with 'just because' poetry or flowers or chocolates or mangoes, that's lovely. When a good man knows precisely what The Glance means, or looks up at the moon and waggles his eyebrow and says, 'oooh, new moon!', meaning I'll require certain Services, or knows precisely how many orgasms to give without leaving any unexploded or leaving me too sore, that's fantastic.

"You have to know what the customer wants before he even realises it himself".
Michel Roux
I'm laughing because I'm remembering certain good men who fit the bill, one of whom dressed up in what became a favourite costume on our anniversary which I had forgotten, another stripping down and posing fetchingly when I was engrossed in mundane paperwork, and my last good man who knew I needed water, yoghurt, a shower and great sex after every business trip, in that order.
A new acronym: Anticipatory Service: Sexy!

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/19/2011 10:59:37 PM

SexyBossyBBW

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quote:

So what is your definition of "Good Service"?

A degree of instinctive self direction while serving. Good listening skills, obedience, and exactness of follow through. Possessing of enthusiasm, a generous spirit, and good nature.

quote:

Is there a level of "anticipation of your needs" involved, or is it more of a "just do what I tell you" track for you?

Anticipation is preferred, but don't mind being asked for direction or clarification... I don't expect to be with anyone in the future, that I would have to remind, using those exact words (unless for fun) "just do what I tell you."

quote:

What are some areas that you think important for submissives to focus on learning more about in order to give better service?

An open mind, little training by someone else, a compatible or absent kink list, and mutual chemistry, since in my case, he would be my romantic partner as well. M

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/20/2011 3:12:41 AM

allthatjaz

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Good service in my opinion always comes with enthusiasm. So it would be enthusiasm, attention to detail, the ability to take on board what is needed and the ability to carry out a task without me having to re-iterate the task in hand.
In my mind, someone who could provide an excellent service to his/her dominant would have the ability to manage a restaurant and not be just the waiter or waitress.

Maisy-jayne for example will not just run me a bath. She will light scented candles, make sure the towels are fresh and warm, put a selection of soaps to hand and make sure she is discreetly on hand to wash my back if I require it. Its not just about having a bath but about making it a pleasant experience.

< Message edited by allthatjaz -- 1/20/2011 3:13:34 AM >

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/20/2011 10:09:54 AM

LPslittleclip

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learning my Mistress wants and anticipating when something is needed or desired has helped my a great deal. knowing that after playing in boots a foot rub is needed as well as ensuring that She eats are some of the things that i do.knowing that a iced glass of diet pepsi is expected when She rises being able to please Her is my duty and i enjoy doing it.

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RE: What is "Good Service"? - 1/26/2011 7:33:02 AM

cloudboy