The Washington herald., 1915-05-02
DR.. Marden's Upift Talks.
Come In-We Like to Answer
Questions"
Nv ORISON SwE-

| by OhIsON SWEET MARDEN.
The above words may be seen display.
| ed as sign In a prosperous New York
| store. How often II happens that people
passing on street are attracted to some
: thing in a shop window which thay
would very much like to examine or
| about which get some information, but
| they hesitate to enter the establishment
| because they may not purchase. and
| shrink from possible discourteous treat
ment from salesman 1t may be some
thing they are thinking OF buying lats-
| that attracts them. or something about
| which some relative or friend would lika
| information.
| If person is willing TO take time dur
| ing the busy part Of day to so into a
| store and make inquiries the concern
should certainly be sufficiently interested
not only to answer questions. but to do
| so politely and in way which will not
| embarrass the inquirer. il he doesn't sec
| mt to make a purchase.
Come in. We like to answer oues-
lions" II people felt that this was
really the spirit in all stores a great
many more sales would be made be-
cause most people are sensitive about
making inquiries about things which
| they do not expect to purchase at the
time.
We patronize the hotels stores
restaurants. and resorts in general
where We feel most comfortable. where
We get the most kindly and courteous
treatment, just as we try to get into
the most comfortable positions and the
most attractive situations in life We
gravitste toward comfort. kindliness.
and good cheer. away from the dis
agreeable. the repugnant, away from
hostile mental attitudes, away from
selfishness.
Hundreds OF concerns have been
ruined by Indifferent, surly. insolent
clerks. who have driven away more
business than their proprietors could
attract by advertising.
A. T Stewart owed a great deal OF his
success 20 his unvarying principle of en-
ploying Incorporating. polite statesmen
He knew that the difference between
snappish. independent grabbed. Indifferent
men and well-mannered. gentlemaniy
ones might make all the difference to him
between failure and success.
Much of the remarkable success Of Mar
shall Field and John Wanamaker has
been due to the thousands Of customers
who have gone to the Field and Wanna .
maker stores because of the courtesy
and kindly treatment shown them by
employees.
Mr.. wanamaker has always insisted
upon courteous treatment of customers.
whether they are merely looking at goods
stores a certain cordially and helpful
ness which is in sharp contrast with
the cold. repelling atmosphere in many
other stores. and there Is a psychological
reason for all this. We radiate our men,
tai attitude, our feelings. IL We feel
kindly. obliging. accommodating. il there
Is good cheer in our hearts We uncon-
sciously make those with whom We como
IN contact feel as We do. We give an
uplift to the very atmosphere about US.
On the same principle where hundreds OF
employees are radiating indifference. and
snobbshness everybody who enters the
establishment where they are feels the
quality of this radiation.
Courtesy. kindness. and obligirguess
are great assets and there Is a tremendous
difference between an asset and LA
bility in q business house Many an en-
ploye is q liability rather than an asset
because his disagreeable atmosphere
drives away customers.
There Is a premium everywhere today
upon courtesy and good manners They
are taken into consideration in hiring
employees just as much as general ability.
A shrewd merchant keeps only Court
eous accommodating employees.