PSA: A regular at my shop in Phoenix said something that got under my skin

He's a quiet guy, gets a skin fade every two weeks. Yesterday, while I was lining him up, he just said, 'You know, you're the only one who still asks me how I want my neckline.' He wasn't mad, just stating a fact. It made me realize I've been on autopilot with a lot of my regulars, just doing the same thing without checking in. How often do you guys still ask your regulars for their preferences?

3 comments

3 Comments

campbell.evan3mo ago

Yeah, that hits on something I see everywhere now. We get so used to routines with people that we stop really seeing them, you know? It happens at my local coffee shop too, they just make my usual without asking anymore (which is fine most days, but sometimes I want to mix it up). That small check-in makes people feel seen, and it's scary how easy it is to forget to do it.

jake_thompson3mo ago

Totally get that. I had a regular tell me he grew a beard just so someone would ask him a new question. Hits home what @campbell.evan said about the coffee shop. We all fall into the trap. My barber could shave my head and I'd probably just nod and tip, stuck in my own routine. That tiny question is the difference between being a person and being a task on a list.

jake1912mo ago

Start making it a habit to ask one small question before you finish any interaction. I try to ask my cashiers how their day is going or my barber if he has any trips planned, just something that shows I see them as a person. It feels awkward at first because you're breaking your own routine, but it gets easier and people really appreciate it. You might even learn something interesting about someone you've been seeing for years without really knowing.