Got this from the net..
"The occasion was Easter Sunday and the day found more than 500 club members and their guests crowded into the overflowing Capital City Club restaurant. As they waited to dine, a club member and his four dinner guests approached the bar where they were greeted by the head bartender,
Bob, who quickly began to take and fill each drink order. Everything progressed as might be expected until one of the guests placed an order
for a specialty drink.
'I would like a sazerac, please.'
'A sazerac?' Bob asked curiously. 'Sir, I'm sorry but I'm unfamiliar with that particular drink. However, if you'll share its ingredients with me, I
will be happy to make you one.'
'That's the problem,' the guest explained. 'I was in New Orleans on business recently and I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel. During my visit, I
went into the hotel bar and the bartender suggested I try the house specialty, a sazerac. I remember the name of the drink because it was the
same as that of the bar. Anyway, I tried the drink and I loved it. Since then though, whenever I've tried to order it in other bars around
the country I always get the same response, 'never heard of it.' I was hoping a place like the Capital City Club would be different. But never
mind. Don't worry about it. Just give me a Bloody Mary instead.'
Bob filled the revised drink order, and as soon as the guest left the bar to rejoin his party, Bob took his break and headed straight to the nearest
telephone. He called information and requested the number for the Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. Once connected to the Fairmont, Bob asked for the Sazerac Bar. Within seconds, Bob was talking directly with a previously anonymous professional colleague in a bar several hundred miles away.
'My name is Bob and I am the head bartender at the Capital City Club herein Atlanta. A few minutes ago I had a gentleman order a sazerac. He told me he was introduced to it while visiting your bar. I was wondering if youwould be willing to share the recipe with me so I can fill his order?'
Bob's New Orleans counterpart was happy to oblige.
Within a few short minutes, Bob confidently approached the guest's table.
Imagine the guest's level of surprise, satisfaction, and sheer delight when Bob said, 'Excuse me, sir, but I have your sazerac. I hope it's to your liking. I have taken the liberty of writing down the ingredients on this index card so you can have them with you in your travels. I hope you enjoy your time here at the Capital City Club. I'm glad I had the opportunity to serve you.'
One of best definitions of listening is from Jim Cathcart. He said listening is wanting to hear. And you see, Bob wanted to hear...and he
did. Great service is always about wanting to hear.
Service Lesson Learned:
Surprise...and delight!