[gwrightson]

In your opinion what would be your best dipolmatic approach to finish your job and get away, bearing in mind a regular custy. Today i cleaned the carpets for a lady who lost her husband to cancer last Dec. her daughter and grand children had just flown baxk to Australia after visiting for a few weeks, hence the capets been cleaned.
She lives on her own and started chatting about her life before and after her hubbys death, about her daughter and gran kids  , well I could just not escape :  I tried  numerous times to get out but just could not get away, saying late for next job etc etc , i felt so guilty trying , and after half an hour my mobile saved me giving me the exuse was next custy asking why i was late.

Any ideas,   ?

Geoff

[john steel]

Yeah, dont get into that type of conversation in the first place.

[Jim_77]

Is it the end of the world if you're a little late for your next job?  The lady obviously is still hurting really badly, and being a regular you're a familiar person to her... sometimes people feel they can open up to someone they are acquainted with but aren't close friends.  On a personal level, isn't it nice to just give a little back to people every now and again?  I sound like a hippie

I had exactly the same situation, I cleaned for a couple when the guy had a big hole in his head where the surgeons went in after a brain tumour.  Next time it was the wife who phoned and booked... I didn't need to ask

But I know what you mean, it is difficult.  I suppose it happens so rarely that you just have to take the hit

Of course, I added a £30/hour "samaritan" charge onto the invoice

[Billy Russell]

Of course, I added a £30/hour "samaritan" charge onto the invoice   

Jim,

I was starting to see you in a different light then!

But then you had to go and spoil it!!!!!!!!! 

Only £30, you numpty!!!! I start at£50   

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

To quote Ken Wainwright - it's "kitchen sink marketing".

It costs you nothing except some of your time and being cynical, can only show you in a good light for the future. But business aside, I've been in a similar situation a few times. Only today I cleaned a whole house for an elderly couple of advancing years who are friends of the family. At the end of the job, the lady of the house said " hope to see you again soon" - unfortunately, given the state of her health, that is highly unlikely.

[wynne jones]

This is not a typical scenerio. I would down tools and just listen. At the next job I would apologies for being late and keep it to myself as to why. Marketing benefits would be the last thing on my mind by doing this.

Now, more typical is the needy waster, to which I hold my hand up and say 'talk to the....' no I say I'm really sorry, I have to go to my next job, I don't want to let them down and turn up late AND START WALKING.

Somewhere inbetween are the lonely old grannies. These get extra time but there is a point where I have to say I'm off.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

You could have asked to use the toilet made some really bad noises and then said, "I'm sorry I think I should go home now" she would understand that your guts were bad.

Shaun

[AJB]

I've often found myself in that self same situation, and i've
always taken the time to talk to them.
There's nothing worse than losing a loved one, and then suffering
everyone walking on eggshells, scared to talk incase they say the wrong
thing. when all you want to do is talk about them. It's a natural part of
the grieving process. So if along the way i can help someone just a little
bit to come to terms with the situation, then so much the better.
Just remember one day you may be in that situation and just want to talk
to someone who has no real connection with yourself or family.
I know i've heard things which they would never dream of telling their families,
but it has helped them by getting it off their chest.

[gwrightson]

Yes got to agree, "kitchen sink marketing "  of which i do a fair amount of, and i knew she did only want to chat . i dont mind listening and was happy to do so but it does start getting a little awkward when personal things are bought into the conversation, ie. how they seperated once and then found love again, etc . she did obviously miss him very much, she had a photo and a funeral service card on the pillow on her bed, got to admit i thought that was a sweet touch.

geoff.

ps. Shaun. thunda thunda I here thunda, must b pees i et last sunda.

[james roffey]

I had a elderly lady have a funny turn while carrying a cup of tea she had made for me, i sat her down and made her a cup she then went on to tell me about her only son who died when he was eighteen, we chatted for over an hour and i discovered that she had lived an amazing life, sometimes you have to take a bit of time, i did not have a job to go to though.

[Ricky M]

life is for the living pet, did he do the right thing and leave you a good insurance policy to fall back on ?

one less mount to feed !

at leats you dont have to nag him anymore !

you can watch hard core porn with out him getting jealous and causing a row !

just a few little yorkshire type tips tips for next time