THE HUMAN TOUCH.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18462, 17 August 1925, Page 4

THE HUMAN TOUCH.

KINDNESS TO SALESWOMEN WILLING SERVICE. If women ordering dresses only realised how muck a kind word of praise or encouragement affected those who servo them, and the effect it has upon their gowns, they would be less chary of 4>estowing it (writes "Cintra" in. the "Morning Post"). To all my clients I gave the same attention and strove to make -my girls labour enthusiastically for theni. Conscientious work was always given in my workrooms; yet some frocks were 'far more successful than others, because real affection and interest inspired the workers. They had received kindness and consideration from that particular client, and showed their ap-preciation—sub-consciously—in the dress they made for her. Certain of my customers never had anj unsuccessful gown because love was sewn into the seams. Alas! the world is far more fidl of criticism and censure than of appreciaI tion and praise, and this is caused by , lack of imagination and of the power to put ourselves into the place of others. If wo take pains to please we ! naturally like to know when our efj forts aro noticed and valued. .Tt is ! discouraging only to be told when we have failed. Other Side of the Story. "When I hear complaints of the apathv of women shop assistants I always long to know the other side of tho story. For many years I have studied the ways of clients in my own business, and marked with interest the clash or attraction of personalities. If women who enter shops to buy clothes or other goods would only realise that the girl who serves them is j human, with liko feelings and interests I to themselves, they would command j far better service. If they would but take tho girl into their confidence, en-1 ! list her interest aud sympathy, far j j moro successful purchases would bo ] made in half tho time. I I remember once entering a shop to i choose a birthday present for my ; mother. It was a hot day, and a jad- ! cd girl behind the counter asked me listlessly what she could show me. I explained my errand, gave her a little character sketch of my mother, and described her tastes in a few words. The girl's attention was attracted, her I sympathy enlisted, for we all have mothers, and if wo are worthv tfaflgntcrs delichfc in givine them little proofs j of our love. Tho ideal present was | found in no time, and same weeks later, on re-visiting the same shop, I was surprised and not a little touched when the same assistant asked me timidlv "Did your mother liko the little birthday present, madam?'' A Kind Customer. 1 learnt this very early in my business career. A dress over which I and my workers had spent much thought and trouble was duly delivered. Short- | Iv atterwnrds the telephone Dell rang and I was informed that tho lady who : had ordered tho dress wished to speak j with me. Filled with apprehension I vent to tho telephone aud asked anxi- | oasly if thero was anything wrong i with tho gown. I shall never forget' my pleastirablo astonishment when her voice replied: "Oh, no! It is lovely, ami I felt I must ring up to thank vou aud your workers for all Your trouble." , Musing on it afterwards I remember thinking how pathetic it was that the rarity <>f tho occurrence should cause ttjy first thought) on hearing the tele* phono boll to be an anxious one. I need hardly add that in future tlje orders of this particular client received tho enthusiastic attention of all members of my staff. *