Before I ever worked in a hotel, I thought customer service was just about efficiency: take the order, answer the question, check them in — done. I never expected real human connection to come from it. But I was wrong.
It turns out, when neither the guest nor the staff has a choice but to interact, something interesting can happen — something real. You’re both there, in that space, sharing a moment. And if the vibe clicks, it can shift the energy of your entire day.
There’s a regular guest who often comes to the bar in the evening. Every time he arrives, he greets me with the same warmth: “How was your day? How are you feeling tonight?” It’s simple, but it feels sincere.
While I’m drying glasses, we chat, laugh, and exchange small lessons from our lives. What’s amazing is that — outside of this space — we would’ve never spoken. We’re from different generations, speak different native languages, and don’t share the same passions. But in that moment, none of it matters.
He’s taught me a bit of Dutch, and I help him with his French. It’s become our ritual — unplanned, natural, and meaningful. I’ve come to look forward to those short conversations. They remind me that we can learn from people we never expected to connect with. And he benefits from it too: sometimes we even treat him to a drink, just as a small gesture. Good energy creates more good energy.
Now, whenever I see him walk in, I smile. Because I know — it’s going to be a great night.
It reminds me of those unexpected movies we were sometimes forced to watch in school. You’d roll your eyes at first — “Why this one?” — but halfway through, you’d be into it. You’d finish the class a bit more cultured, a bit more open, and maybe even moved.
That’s what customer interactions can be like. You don’t choose them — but they often become the moments that shape your perspective, your empathy, and your ability to connect.
We usually underestimate the power of simple conversations with strangers. But if you stay open, they’ll not only improve your social skills — they’ll expand your world.
So if you’re ever in a job where you have to talk to people, don’t treat it as a burden. See it as practice. See it as an opportunity. You might be surprised by what (and who) you find there.
Truly yours,
Loris Daniele