Freebies from Shopwise Araneta & Outback Restaurant (Eye)

Okay, they weren’t exactly free because I had to say my opinion first, but I just wanted to give credit to a couple of managers who showed enough savvy to offer the client (in these cases me) a token of their appreciation.

First, it was Supervisor Rose of Shopwise Araneta.

A Shopwise client and I lined up in a counter with our baskets when, without a word, the cashier brought up the elastic band to separate the customer she was currently handling from us, sending a silent message of “Go away, this counter is not open.”

After paying for my goods, I sought the supervisor. Although I had to wait, she was profuse with apologies that made the waiting bearable.

I explained that my usual experience with Shopwise in such circumstances is that the cashier will usually accommodate the people already in line, say, “Sir/Ma’am, you’re the last na po,” put the “Please go to the Next Counter” sign on the conveyor belt, politely say to anybody else who lines up, ‘Sir/Ma’am, closed na po.”

The supervisor thanked me for the feedback and asked if I already have the Gusto magazine. When I said no, she hurriedly got a copy, gave it to me, thanked me again, and said that my experience would usually send a client in the Shopwise Alabang branch to raise his voice. I reassured her that there was no need to do so.

And that’s how I got the Gusto magazine with Jericho Rosales on the cover.

Easter was a family day, of course, which caused the Outback Restaurant in Libis to be quite full. After dining, I requested for the manager and asked Ms. Carol Marasigan what was Outback’s ratio of waiter to table.

Catching on immediately to the cause of my query, Ms. Marasigan said that it should be 1 waiter for 3 tables, but they had the unexpected predicament of personnel suddenly going on vacation leave, hence, the inattentive service that we got.

And, as an aside, I suggested that our waiter put a handkerchief in his pocket since he had the tendency to be sweaty, consequently, he instinctively swiped his forehead on his sleeve while serving the food. Well, at least it was on his sleeve and it didn’t splatter on the food, or maybe the drops were so miniscule I didn’t see.

The manager thanked me again, and reassured me that she will take it up with the staff immediately. She asked if I already have the Gold Card which is a lifetime 20% discount on the Bistro group’s restaurants, namely, Friday’s, Italliani’s, Outback and Fish & Co.

When I said no, she hurriedly got a card, gave it to me plus her calling card, and encouraged me to text her for reservations if we dined again in Outback.

And that’s how I got the Gold Card.

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