Tags
assistance, Canada, courtesy, fear, gratituity, handrails, ice, panic, people, respect, service, snow, staff, steps, tipping
Make every interaction count. Even the small ones. They are all relevant.
Our last full day here in Banff. The holiday is ending. Our short two weeks are almost over. The last time I will write from my vantage viewpoint of looking out the window at snow-capped mountains and streets! That is, until we try for another snow holiday in a few years’ time (I’d like to think earlier!!!). I really love the cold and the snow, maybe I am living in the wrong climate? But nonetheless, tomorrow morning bright and early (well in the dark anyway), we will leave here and head to Victoria for a brief visit and then to Vancouver International airport to fly home!
Marc went on his last ski. His third day. He too has enjoyed that time out on the snow learning to dodge trees (although a few came up today unaware) and become more efficient at a sport he truly enjoys and does not get much time to do it where we live.
But I also did some exercise as I managed to do some laps in the hotel pool. I was very proud of myself even if it was a little cool swimming (and panting/breathing hard) but I swam back and forth in various stroke styles and I felt like I too had achieved something substantial this morning. I like swimming… (being in the water is much preferable for me than on!). So, after my personal success, I could hear the hot mineral pool beckoning me.
This pool is somewhat connected to the indoor swimming pool. The difference is it is outside. You enter this pool through some curtains, and you are immersed in blue steamy water with snow all around you on the ground. I was feeling the chill. But the hot mineral made up for the chill of the pool!
This mineral pool definitely was a great way to feel opulent, extravagant, and lazy (even though in my defense, I did exercise first) as I lay on my noodle bobbing along slowly. My body luxuriously fully extended as the noodle cuddled me in the warm blue water while steam rose around and above me. (Well Marc was skiing- had to have something cuddle me!) Quite easy to fall asleep believe me! It was like a magical place floating in hot water amidst the scenic cold snow. I also had the advantage that there was only one other couple in the steaming delicious water.
I enjoyed my aquatic bath delightfully.
However, we both had more exercise as we went for an impromptu climb up many ice-covered flights of steps during our afternoon walk. The wooden steps had in previous days been filled with snow that then through sequential freeze/thaw cycles made the steps a veritable ice slide rather than resembling anything that a person could actually walk/climb up. Marc was positive we could get up these stairs – ever the optimist – but proceeded to show me that the way to do it was to walk up the slope outside the handrail. However, many other people apparently had come to the same conclusion and the slope adjacent to the handrail was only marginally less icy and slippery than the stairs and we both had to still grip the handrail firmly and pull ourselves up the icy slope. Believe me, it was not a pleasant walk in the park … particularly since there was more than one flight of steps to be negotiated both up and down as the path followed the river bank!
In fact, if I was truthful, I would tell you that I actually had a panic attack climbing up the very first ice-covered steps that went up high a very long way at a 45-degree angle with an edge either side not too far away. I was climbing up ( yes with cleats on- but they were still sliding) in a state of tears and exclaiming to Marc “ I cannot do this”… as I was frozen not from the cold but from fear! But of course, I could not go back down. I had to keep going as my panic attack got worse and worse and I could not breathe. But I got there! I guess the responsiveness aspect locked into place when informing two males who were making their way up by clinging and sliding on the other side on this same flight of steps “ its ok- I’m just having a panic attack”.
Yes, it has been a lovely stay here and we have both enjoyed the time spent in this hotel and the others. It is not the usual holiday place we stay at, but something quite different, but we both admit it has been a pleasant change before we go back to the world of reality and work. I read that ‘Luxury to me is not about buying expensive things; it’s about living in a way where you appreciate things.’ I can honestly say we both have certainly appreciated where we have been these past two weeks…not only the accommodation but the scenery!
But before I leave Banff, in case I do not write again before we go home, I do need to tell you about the wonderful service people we have encountered here in Canada as a whole.
In an earlier blog, I wrote about the courtesy of the people in respect to saying’ Thank you’ to service people such as bus drivers. I mentioned about the general attitude of the Canadian people we have seen and as of yet, have not found a rude and arrogant one. I know I am traveling in the ‘holiday circle’, but we have also been on public transport such as buses, ferries and trains and walked the main streets of the places here and it is truly remarkable. It has not always been at so-called fancy hotels. But the ones I do need to mention are the general service people in the places we have stayed at and have seen.
Canada is a gratuity country where a ‘voluntary’ tax is placed on everything you purchase. We knew that and a 15-18% gratuity is somewhat expected for service rendered to you (more if it is excellent). Tipping is not mandatory but generally expected because most of the general hospitality/service workers receive a relatively low base rate of pay as compared to the Australian wage. Many rely on this tipping to supplement their income. Our travel package had the gratuity included for these two weeks, and we did not have to tip at all. Nonetheless, we have felt the desire to give ‘a tip’ to those people who have been of assistance in such a friendly manner. We felt it was a gift for ‘looking or supporting us’ in the manner they did. And so, we tipped. We have rewarded various ‘occupations’ in our two-week travels.
But what I need to address specifically are those individuals who are in customer service and help you and who do not expect ‘that tip’ – no automatic ‘sense of entitlement’.
The courtesy of the staff encountered in our stay is noteworthy. In no matter what situation, we are in, be it either at the hotel or walking downtown in the park wanting to find a toilet (washroom as they call it here). The people are just friendly, helpful, happy to assist you, pleased to find that detail you need or the bus number to catch, or simply provide you with something you need to help your day. Nothing huge but in the smallest and trivial things. And in doing so, they do not expect that tip from you. They just go on about their day as a “Thankyou” is extended and an immediate reply of “You’re welcome” is returned with what appears to me to be a genuine smile.
Service staff is another example. They are there ready to take your bag, ready to open the door, chatting with you about your day, smiling a welcome smile as you enter the room to be served….and it is all what I believe to be authentic and sincere and no expectation of a tip. We have also met many (many, many, many) young Australians who are working here, and they too have adopted this beautiful attitude towards people.
Everywhere you go, even on the walk yesterday to the town centre …all are willing to help you out when you have a question. Like the shop person or the bellhop who holds the door open for you…all done without that expectation of a tip. It is truly remarkable and therefore one that I have to write about. When they are not assisting you, they still ask how was your day, or can I do anything for you? No expectation of a reward at all in the form of a tip expected, just genuine interest.
Now I know that we do things because it is part of our job. It is seen as part of your ‘establishment’ or ‘duty’ you perform. My own employment signifies that exactly as the patients walk in the door and they are greeted by a welcome smile and friendly chatter. It is something I expect from my staff as well. But I have also been in places where the reception or customer service person could not care you were there, nor acknowledge that you have even entered the room. You know, they show you that ‘Who cares’ attitude clearly. We all know that each and every job has its own joys and pains and at times we show it in our work face and body language, but I have yet to encounter that ‘sour’ ‘tired’ image here- both at the hotels and at the town centre areas we have explored. I could continue but I would suggest that I believe we as Australians have a lot to learn from these assistance people here in Canada. Even if we don’t feel like it…we should demonstrate the opposite in all aspects of body language and show ‘we care about you’.
It is such a pleasure here in Canada to see ‘service’ and ‘assistance’ all without that expectation of a tip for doing so!
“Others will forget what you say, others will forget what you do, but people will always remember how you made them feel”