Comments on: How to Politely Get Their Attention http://www.burg.com/2010/02/how-to-politely-get-their-attention/ Bob Burg's Official Website Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:43:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bob Burg http://www.burg.com/2010/02/how-to-politely-get-their-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-2419 Bob Burg Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:58:59 +0000 http://www.burg.com/?p=2155#comment-2419 Hi Deborah, thank you; it's always a pleasure to read your wisdom-filled and thoughtful comments. Personally, while I've heard that sentiment before regarding the words, "I'm sorry" I haven't found them to a negative; rather, just the oppositive. In fact, rather than "I'm sorry" being an overused phrase, it seems to me that it's underused. :-) Typically, when said in the manner described in the article, it really helps to set a positive frame with the other person. Of course, as always, my suggestion is that if another phrase or phrases - such as those you mentioned in your letter - work for you, then by all means, use them with continued success. Thank you again for sharing. Please keep doing so. Kathryn, great advice on your part and something I should have mentioned. Yes, that initial respect you show the waitperson such as by gettting their name and simply treating them with respect throughout the process makes getting their attention even easier and accepted in a much more benevolent fashion. Thank you. Hi Deborah, thank you; it’s always a pleasure to read your wisdom-filled and thoughtful comments. Personally, while I’ve heard that sentiment before regarding the words, “I’m sorry” I haven’t found them to a negative; rather, just the oppositive. In fact, rather than “I’m sorry” being an overused phrase, it seems to me that it’s underused. :-) Typically, when said in the manner described in the article, it really helps to set a positive frame with the other person. Of course, as always, my suggestion is that if another phrase or phrases – such as those you mentioned in your letter – work for you, then by all means, use them with continued success. Thank you again for sharing. Please keep doing so.

Kathryn, great advice on your part and something I should have mentioned. Yes, that initial respect you show the waitperson such as by gettting their name and simply treating them with respect throughout the process makes getting their attention even easier and accepted in a much more benevolent fashion. Thank you.

]]> By: Kathryn Booth http://www.burg.com/2010/02/how-to-politely-get-their-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-2416 Kathryn Booth Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:43:07 +0000 http://www.burg.com/?p=2155#comment-2416 Bob - Great advice. A little kindness goes a long way. This is also when it pays off to have the practice of getting their first name and eye contact with an extra 20 seconds when they take your order. Deborah has a good point too - nothing to be sorry about. Bob – Great advice. A little kindness goes a long way. This is also when it pays off to have the practice of getting their first name and eye contact with an extra 20 seconds when they take your order.

Deborah has a good point too – nothing to be sorry about.

]]> By: Deborah Stewart http://www.burg.com/2010/02/how-to-politely-get-their-attention/comment-page-1/#comment-2415 Deborah Stewart Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:11:29 +0000 http://www.burg.com/?p=2155#comment-2415 Great advice for a delicate situation Bob. So right, TONE is everything!! Small point -I would prefer that the "I'm sorry", be substituted with "Excuse me or Pardon me" - again a really pleasant, polite tone. The overuse of the phrase "I'm sorry" has weakened the impact of what those two powerful words are intended to mean. For women especially, who offer it up too quickly, it puts her in an immediate weakened position. My two cents: Never use the phrase "I"m sorry" if you are not truly apologetic. Thanks for letting me contribute to the discussion Bob. Always a pleasure to read your words of wisdom : ) Great advice for a delicate situation Bob. So right, TONE is everything!!

Small point -I would prefer that the “I’m sorry”, be substituted with “Excuse me or Pardon me” – again a really pleasant, polite tone.

The overuse of the phrase “I’m sorry” has weakened the impact of what those two powerful words are intended to mean. For women especially, who offer it up too quickly, it puts her in an immediate weakened position. My two cents: Never use the phrase “I”m sorry” if you are not truly apologetic.

Thanks for letting me contribute to the discussion Bob. Always a pleasure to read your words of wisdom : )

]]>