tumules
Beach Comber
Four friends and myself just returned from a really nice week in Seagrove Beach...we had a blast! Weather was super for 6 of the 7 days - a little on the chilly side but will come later next year to hopefully ensure warmer weather. We left the beach cleaner than we found it and obeyed all the laws. Here's what I don't get and hope you can help us understand.....
We dumped considerable money into the BSW economy and received some rude service and it's perplexing. Now I know what you are thinking....we must have done something to deserve rude treatment/service. We didn't and just couldn't get over the attitude of many. Let me give you a few examples.....
the checker (OK she was young, maybe 20) at the Publix store on 395 never, not once in 3 trips to this store, said thank you. Other Publix stores aren't this way. The last time I looked her straight in the eye and said thank you emphatically. There was a little spark and I think for a micro-second, she thought, maybe I was suppose to say thank you. Maybe she is privileged and her parents make her work to build character.
dropped $60 at the liquor store in Blue Mountain Beach. The white haired guy (clerk/owner?) never looked up, never said what the total was, grunted a no and pointed a finger to the door displaying only the Visa and MC logo when asked if he took AMEX, and never said thank you. For sure, we won't be returning to this store. Is this standard treatment?
The Red Bar and Picolo Restaurant.....Food was good, of course, and the service was good if almost too attentive (we were early at 5 PM.) We left the waiter 20% and stood outside the restaurant for a few minutes before loading the car to depart. While standing outside, he came outside and asked us if everything was OK. His tone was less than cordial and almost argumentative. We know he got all the tip as we handed him the check, the cash for the meal and his tip personally. We talked about this for days trying to figure out what was the issue. We were going to return for a second evening, but his behavior had us a little spooked so we ate elsewhere.
The small shops just north of 30A at Old Grayton Beach on the west side of the street just south of Big Mama's Hula Girl shop. We were followed around in one shop like we were going to steal something! I was contemplating purchasing a few things but decided she wasn't getting my money.
These are just a few of the poor experiences we had while spending our cash in the Beaches of South Walton. We had a few more, but I think you get the idea.
BUT, we also had two really nice experiences at the Starbucks just east of the Old Grayton Beach intersection on 30A. The gal at the Starbucks was wonderful, chatting, laughing and made us great lattes. The owner of the Sterling Gallery was a really nice guy - no pressure, fun to talk with, etc. We bought more than several items from him.
We just couldn't get over the rude treatment to paying customers. Are our experiences isolated?
We dumped considerable money into the BSW economy and received some rude service and it's perplexing. Now I know what you are thinking....we must have done something to deserve rude treatment/service. We didn't and just couldn't get over the attitude of many. Let me give you a few examples.....
the checker (OK she was young, maybe 20) at the Publix store on 395 never, not once in 3 trips to this store, said thank you. Other Publix stores aren't this way. The last time I looked her straight in the eye and said thank you emphatically. There was a little spark and I think for a micro-second, she thought, maybe I was suppose to say thank you. Maybe she is privileged and her parents make her work to build character.
dropped $60 at the liquor store in Blue Mountain Beach. The white haired guy (clerk/owner?) never looked up, never said what the total was, grunted a no and pointed a finger to the door displaying only the Visa and MC logo when asked if he took AMEX, and never said thank you. For sure, we won't be returning to this store. Is this standard treatment?
The Red Bar and Picolo Restaurant.....Food was good, of course, and the service was good if almost too attentive (we were early at 5 PM.) We left the waiter 20% and stood outside the restaurant for a few minutes before loading the car to depart. While standing outside, he came outside and asked us if everything was OK. His tone was less than cordial and almost argumentative. We know he got all the tip as we handed him the check, the cash for the meal and his tip personally. We talked about this for days trying to figure out what was the issue. We were going to return for a second evening, but his behavior had us a little spooked so we ate elsewhere.
The small shops just north of 30A at Old Grayton Beach on the west side of the street just south of Big Mama's Hula Girl shop. We were followed around in one shop like we were going to steal something! I was contemplating purchasing a few things but decided she wasn't getting my money.
These are just a few of the poor experiences we had while spending our cash in the Beaches of South Walton. We had a few more, but I think you get the idea.
BUT, we also had two really nice experiences at the Starbucks just east of the Old Grayton Beach intersection on 30A. The gal at the Starbucks was wonderful, chatting, laughing and made us great lattes. The owner of the Sterling Gallery was a really nice guy - no pressure, fun to talk with, etc. We bought more than several items from him.
We just couldn't get over the rude treatment to paying customers. Are our experiences isolated?
...but I hate you recieved that kind of treatment elsewhere!
Maybe they were just glad to have a customer 
after the cool down from spring break. 
