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What amazes and irritates me, in equal measures, is the conflation of courtesy and respect. Somehow, we have substituted courtesy in place of respect and in return, we managed to wrap our relationships with one another with cheap glossy packaging…
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Many years ago I travelled to Baltimore, USA to attend a strategy planning brainstorm session. In fact, I was running the session with a colleague from Baltimore and we spent weeks organising, planning, setting up; I was sure it would…
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A Driver picked me up from Bucharest Airport and drove me the 10-minute drive to the Pullman Hotel. Before he set off, he crossed himself, a little reassuring to me. Half way there, while traveling a notch below the speed…
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I love Lebanon in general and I am particularly crazy bout Beirut, even in times of trouble. It is beautiful, dangerous, creative, vibrant, optimistic, lethal, addictive but above all, it is full of surprises, mostly pleasant ones, with the occasional…
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Recently in a Paris hotel, I called the front desk. Me: Bonsoir Front Desk: Oui Monsieur, ow can I elp you? Me: Can you arrange for an iron to be delivered to my room please? Front Desk: we do not…
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There is a glitzy 5-Star hotel in Qatar that boasts Swarovski Couches in the lobby; they know who they are! The management is determined to offer legendary service; whether you want it or not. The hotel is way over-staffed at…
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Algeria is a beautiful country but they don’t do “Customer Service”. Here is a conversation I once had with Reception in one of the most prestigious hotels: Receptionist: Yes? Me: Can you please send someone to stock the bathroom with…
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This event goes back to the Seventies soon after graduating from university when I was reluctantly transitioning from studenthood to professional life. I travelled round the Middle East partly to look for work and partly as a tactic to avoid…
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