Thread: They are just sooooo happy see us again!

Originally Posted by jokko

markit i think you are wrong this time, i travelled a lot and have never seen people as good in remembering somebody like the balinese do.
it has to do with their curiousity and their gossping i think . sometimes im surprised seeing somebody remebering details about you even if you didnt see them for years.
sure they also like your money.......

I have always tried to attend the opening of the Bali Art Festival (this year from June 12 until July 10), which features a beautiful parade around Puputan Sq. In the early 1990s, I happened to have been interviewed by a Bali TV station (I forgot which one) before the opening ceremony. During this short interview carried in English, I was asked all sorts of very profound questions such as how I like living in Bali, working with Balinese, etc. This interview must have lasted 10 minutes, at the most.

Fast forward, FOUR years later. I went to a small hotel in Penestanan (near Ubud), with friend who was looking for a place to stay for several months, and had asked me to accompanied him to help him possibly with the negociations. At the reception desk, we met the Balinese manager of the establishment, and we asked him if he could show us around the property. As we were walking through the garden, making small talk, the Balinese guy almost floored me when he said something like "I've seen you on TV before!" If front of my denial of such possibility, he insisted saying that he remembered well, as it was at the Opening of the Art Festival, four years before. It goes without saying that my "interview' must have certainly been one of the most booooorrring appearances of that day on this particular channel (I'm sure the manager must have figured that by himself, since his English was pretty good), and besides that, my behavior in front of the camera was certainly reserved. So, how could this be possible?

I have had many more or less similar experiences with Balinese during my stays in Bali, but this one took the prize.

I seem to have given the wrong impression that it's only the Balinese that show this behaviour - it's everywhere around the planet.

How do you stop it? Just act as you normally would going into a hotel or restaurant not showing this embarrassingly hopeful expression "please remember me!". They don't care or remember you - if you don't believe me just watch in any resort hotel/bar/restaurant. It happens about every 2 hours on a "good" night.

It has nothing to do with having a good memor(y)ies - I've been a waiter in my younger days traveling in Europe - when you see the expression on a guest coming in the door you know in a moment that it will be "dancing for dollars" so you run over (waggling like a dog with worms) and get paid - the stupid guest will, knowingly or not, give you some help as to when and where.

I know for sure that sometimes when you have stayed in a villa they make notes of you in a book! But... you can also say that they have a very good commercial memory!

We have a homestay in Kuta Lombok and I know nearly all the owners of the other homestays in the area and am damned sure they like us do not keep notes on guests.

We are happy if a guest returns as many of our guests do as it proves to us that we are doing something right, that they have had a good time with us and have enjoyed their stay. I am still in touch with many of our past guests and some have gone on to become good friends. It is not always just about the $$$$

I would submit Mimpi that that is true for the owners of a business - they are much more motivated.

But the waiting staff can see hundreds of people a day and I know that the masses fade into a blur but banknotes are easy to recall...

But the waiting staff can see hundreds of people a day and I know that the masses fade into a blur but banknotes are easy to recall...

But how much do the actual staff, waiters etc make more from having customers come back every year?

Some savy operators however will have extra tours to go on and then, possible property deals.

Waiters, bellboys don't make much money here, so if there is a chance to make a little extra on the side, why not.

Personally, I tend to go back to familiar places if the food/service is good. I like being greeted with a familiar smile - no hugs though