Here are this week’s 5 Life Pro Tips.
01. Before checking in at the airport…
Take a photograph of your luggage. A picture is worth a thousand words if your bags get lost. If your bags become lost it is very easy to simply show the baggage claims representative a picture of your luggage on your phone rather than try to describe it, especially when there is a language barrier.
Also, when you check your bag, they give you a matching bar code sticker. Often they’ll put it on the back of your boarding pass or that folder and many people throw those out after boarding. Keeping that sticker will help you find the luggage faster.
02. When calling a company to complain…
Ask where to be directed first rather than explaining your situation right away with no pauses. Often the first person to answer is a receptionist/secretary whose job is to screen/transfer your call to the correct department, not handle each situation. You’ll save yourself and the person on the other line some time and stress of repeating yourself by asking first rather than explaining only to hear “I’m sorry to hear that but let me transfer you to client services.”
Also, think about what kind of resolution you want to get out of the call before you pick up the phone – be it product exchange, refund, partial refund, or just their sincere apologies. Simply make your case, state your desired outcome and let them decide on what is going to happen. Ranting is not going to help anyone.
03. Frequently play with your puppy’s or kitten’s feet and put your fingers in their mouth too
This will hopefully get them accustomed to people touching their mouth and paws, making it easier to trim their nails and brush their teeth in the future. A lot of pets need to be sedated for a teeth brushing from the vet/groomer, which will cost you extra money.
Also, sometimes sit with the puppies when they eat their food, talk to them, put your hand in their bowl and swoosh around their food. It keeps them from getting aggressive with their food. This teaches them to share their bowl with no problems, including visitors.
04. If you’re an English speaker and having trouble understanding overseas support tech…
Call back in and ask for a Spanish speaking support tech. A Spanish-speaking support tech is almost always going to be North America based and have much better English than the rep that you can’t understand. I’ve used this a few times for great effect.
05. If a person asks you to take a picture of them with someone else…
Take a lot more than one picture. The person you are taking the picture for will appreciate it as they can go through and decide which photo they like the best to put on their facebook or whatever else. Nothing worse than someone only taking one picture and someone ends up blinking in it, especially if it’s a once in a life time opportunity to get a photo like that.
