Jeannine:
Yesterday, for the first time, a guest cried when she left. She said that she hated goodbyes. She had been here for six days for a workshop and since she was here by herself (hubby was at home in Wisconsin), we spent many hours in the evening chatting.
One evening we asked her to have dinner with us (she was here without a car and walked to the workshop each day). Hey gang, we are affecting people's lives every day. Hopefully it is a positive experience for the host and guest 99.9% of the time. What better business could we be in?
Eleanor:
I had one guest who loves cats as much as I do and we were discussing my oldest cat's health problem and how long she may have to live. Well, her cat has just died at an old age, too, and we found ourselves crying and comforting each other.
She hadn't been here but an hour or two -- yet we bonded instantly. I was embarrassed, but she understood and was so compassionate. It helped me a lot.
Karen:
One guest who left today was very taken with our gardens, so she left with a large plastic baggie full of seed pods we collected together this morning after breakfast -- chatting all the while. What fun!
Linda:
We had guests last night (they took all three rooms). They were all here for a 90th birthday in town. The neighbors across the street put them up here. They had never stayed in a B&B before, and they did not want breakfast because they were going out with the family in the morning. They loved the B&B and I told them some stories of people that came and for their first time and are now B&B diehards. They were so sweet. Now for the point of the story.
They came back about 10 p.m. and had sodas, cookies and tea. I came into the living room and saw that someone just went through the kitchen door and turned on the light. As I went (with a smile of course) to see what he needed, I saw him open my cabinets up and look for a glass. As luck would have it he broke one. He felt awful, I know. I just patted him on the arm and said, "Worse things have happened, believe me." He was looking for a glass and ice. He had no idea the kitchen was for innkeepers only, and he and all his group were so nice.
What can you do? I never said a word. I just smiled to myself and thought, "They are first-timers and if we make this a great experience they could be B&B people forever." So I guess sometimes when people really don't know the rules, just smile and it will be fine. The glass was old anyway. I love this job!
