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Today's Takeaway with Florine Mark


Dec 6, 2021

With Scott Stinebaugh, Director of Sales & Marketing for the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel

 

How often do we hear stories on the news today of airline passengers behaving in a very disruptive or even dangerous manner? Lately, it seems to be happening more and more frequently. In a recent survey, more than 60% of respondents believe that rude and discourteous behavior is on the rise. Where is this behavior coming from? Have we always been this thoughtless and inconsiderate or does the media, along with the ability to record everything on our cell phones, actually encourage it? With the holidays coming, many of us will be traveling to visit friends and family or hosting in our homes. Do you know how to be a good host and ensure that your guests feel welcome in your home? Do you prepare for their visit by making sure your guests have everything they need to be comfortable when staying in your home? Or if you’re visiting others in their home, do you know how to be a gracious guest? What if you’re staying in a hotel rather than someone’s home? Do people behave worse at a hotel?

 

My guest today, Scott Stinebaugh, is the Director of Sales & Marketing for the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit hotel. He’s been in the hospitality industry for many years and has seen some of the best, and worst, examples of guest behavior. He shares some tips with us on today’s episode so that you can make the most of your holiday plans.

 

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

 

  • When did Scott first become interested in hospitality?

 

  • Does Scott think people are ruder today?
  • What are some tips for how to behave towards hospitality workers?
  • How can people get access to additional perks by being gracious hotel guests?
  • What are some tips to pack more efficiently?
  • How can travel etiquette apply to being a house guest?
  • How can we be gracious hosts while respecting our own boundaries?
  • How are Marriott’s hotel rooms sanitized during COVID-19?
  • How are damages and incidentals handled?
  • All about CrossFit (Scott’s practice and in the hotel!)

 

Today’s Takeaway: Appropriate and gracious people are kind, and their behavior is characterized by considering the feelings or needs of others. The purpose of the hospitality industry is to provide services that make your stay more enjoyable. Service is defined as “the action of helping or doing work for someone else.” But having someone help you doesn’t entitle a person to treat them in a rude or inconsiderate manner. Instead, it’s so much easier and more appropriate to treat people in a courteous, polite, considerate, and thoughtful way. That’s the very definition of gracious behavior. When we take the time to consider the feelings of others and avoid being hurtful or making someone feel uncomfortable, it’s just better! We feel better about it and we make others feel better. As we heard today, being a gracious hotel guest might even result in rewards or travel perks. Even when we’re not given anything in return, behaving in a gracious and appropriate manner costs nothing. It makes everyone happier; especially YOU. If you’re visiting someone in their home, being a gracious guest will ensure that you’ll be welcomed back. Or, if you’re the host, making your guest feel welcome can help them have a wonderful visit. This holiday season, give yourself and those around you the gift of being kind. It can be one of the best gifts that you’ll give or receive all year. I’m Florine Mark and that’s “Today’s Takeaway.”

 

Quotes:

  • “I think we’re living in a country that’s divided and I think people are COVID-19 fatigued.” — Scott
  • “I do think the media has shed a broader lens on it, but I do think in the world that we live in today things have escalated for sure.” — Scott
  • “Being kind and courteous and empathetic is always going to get you a greater result.” — Scott

Brought to You By:

Gardner White Furniture

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit