From the time very young children enter school adults feel it necessary to give them report cards. The assumption is that with feedback the children who were not successful will change their errant ways and improve their performance the next time around.
What would happen if adults began giving report cards and feedback to other adults to help them improve their performance the next time around? Would not owners of vacation homes like to do this for their guests? As with children, the assumption would be made that guests would do what the host or hostess wants them to do if they only knew what that was. Guests and children can only change with good, concrete feedback. The best way to accomplish this with adults is by means of the technique known as Advanced Counter Attack (ACA). This technique gives guests the tools they need to become perfect tens on a scale of one to ten.
When guests first arrive show them around the house indicating where things are kept.
The following are just a few examples of how this technique can be applied to the best advantage. When guests first arrive show them around the house indicating where things are kept. For example, show them THE kitchen not YOUR kitchen. Point out where the dishes are kept, how the dishwasher works, where the food is stored and where cookbooks and a selection of simple recipes are kept.
The ACA result of showing where the food is kept is that guests do not need to wait for you to cook and to serve them a meal. The ACA result of pointing out the dishwasher is that guests can clear their dishes from the table, put them in the dishwasher and since they know where everything is kept, if the dishwasher is full, empty it. The ACA result of pointing out the cookbooks is that guests can feel free and even be encouraged to cook meals which everyone can enjoy. To further get this message across, you might want to include a list of the best food and beverage stores in town in the same drawer as the cookbooks.
Point out to arriving guests where the laundry and washer and dryer are located. The ACA message is that they are free to do their own laundry and to change their sheets and towels when they leave.
Point out the drawer where all the tourist information is kept. This information could include but not be limited to maps, hiking and biking guides, and special events. The ACA message is that you are not responsible for their having a wonderful, happy, stress-free vacation.
The judicious use of ACA frees the host or hostess to give service on their terms, not on the guests terms.
There are always guests who are natural perfect tens. Here is a short description of a perfect ten: Cooks a dinner that includes buying the groceries and beverages for the whole group. Always cleans up after himself or herself. Leaves the guest room in good order. Has done research before arrival and knows what the area has to offer in terms of recreation. Supplies own food if on a special diet. Provides own transportation. Has a nice sense of humor and contributes to the ambiance of the whole group.
Feel free to add items to this list from your own experience.
First published in 1996
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