Are you a picky person
I didn’t think was either, until I heard from more than one person that I was “high maintenance”. Initially I was offended, but if it walks like a rat, talks like a rat, chances are it’s a rat.
When my husband and I first got engaged, we went to Elkart, Indiana to meet his brother and his family. Typically when I go on vacation I buy a book on the destination or research it online to plan our fun. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Elkart is the home of the RV Hall of Fame! When we pulled up to the motel, I told my soon-to-be-husband, “Wow, I’ve never stayed at a place where you drive up to your room”. He had no idea what I was talking about. At the time I thought all hotels had indoor elevators and lobbies. Just so you know, I love my husband, his entire family and Elkart, Indiana.
My point is that I thought I was easy going when it came to vacations. I was wrong. A lot of my clients are wrong too. I always hear, “I’m not picky” or “I’m really flexible”. I’m sure many of you are, but I designed a little test. Get a pen and a piece of paper and let’s get started:
1. My idea of “roughing it” is
A. Staying in a suite at a 5 star resort with only 1 bathroom.
B. Staying in a 4 star hotel.
C. Staying at a “pension” or youth hostel.
D. A tent, a canteen, and some matches.
2. My flying preference is
A. Private planes
B. First or business class.
C. Any airline as long as it is nonstop.
D. The cheapest way possible, even if I have to stop 3 times.
3. To me, staying on the beach, or being oceanfront, means
A. I open my balcony and step directly onto the sand and ocean.
B. My room overlooks the water
C. If I stand on my balcony and look over the side I may see the ocean
D. The resort is on the water.
4. When it comes to dining at an all-inclusive resort
A. I will only eat in whatever gourmet restaurant the concierge recommends.
B. I would prefer not to eat buffets for every meal
C. As long as there are plenty of choices, I do not need gourmet food.
D. If I don’t get sick, I’m pretty happy.
5. When deciding on where to go on vacation I
A. See where Prince Charles went on his vacation and book the same trip.
B. Call American Express Centurion travel department
C. Look for a great deal to a place I would like to go
D. Pick the very cheapest place possible.
6. My hotel bathroom must contain these amenities:
A. A wide range of L’Occitane products, Turkish towels, a separate shower and bath.
B. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, cream , and a bath tub.
C. Soap, shampoo, a wash cloth, and hot and cold water in the shower.
D. A bar of soap and a working toilet.
7. When I am on vacation in the Caribbean or Mexico, the room should have:
A. Satellite flat screen plasma television with on demand movies and at least 10 English speaking channels.
B. Satellite television with at least 3 English speaking channels
C. A television
D. An alarm clock to get me up for the beach.
Score: 5 points for every A
3 points for every B
2 points for every C
1 point for every D
30-35 points: You are picky and unless you are prepared to pay big bucks for your trip, you are going to be really disappointed.
21-29 points: You have great taste, and realistic expectations.
14-21 points: You are not a picky person. You know that if you book something cheap you aren’t going to get anything fancy or out of the ordinary.
7-14 points: My kind of client! You are not picky at all.
The truth of the matter is even if you are not “high maintenance” and even if you don’t spend a fortune on your vacation, you deserve a clean room, edible food and drinks, and a wide variety of activities and amenities.
Here is an email I received from one of my clients:
“Beth,
We are really looking forward to our trip, but I have just a few questions:
Do you happen to know what kind of sheets the hotel uses? My husband is allergic to certain sheets. Also, can you find out the brand of exercise equipment they use in the gym, and if the rooms have blow dryers and flat irons? My hair gets really hard to manage with the humidity and the heat. I know I have more questions, but that is it for now.
I bet she would have scored even higher than I did.
Have a great 4th of July holiday, and save your money. Vacations are not getting cheaper, but we all deserve one.
Fondly, Beth
"The beautiful beaches of Cancun, Mexico "