Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

Surprised this already hasn't come up.

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A. messages
with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and gentlemen". By Monday
it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

Not only would I like to know, but I'm sure
would too!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

In article , Robin Mayes
wrote:
Surprised this already hasn't come up.

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A. messages
with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and gentlemen". By Monday
it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

Not only would I like to know, but I'm sure
would too!


I don't travel on the underground very much, but I wonder whether
audio quality is not a more important issue. Some announcements might
as well be in Russian for all the sense I can make of them.


--
Michael

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Robin Mayes" wrote in message
...
Surprised this already hasn't come up.

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A.
messages
with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and gentlemen". By
Monday
it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

Not only would I like to know, but I'm sure
would too!



I would say that using somethig like "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening" or
somesuch is a useful way of attracting people's attention so that by the
time you get to deliver the message proper they might be listening to what
your saying.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

I'd agree that using a standard phrase like "Good evening, Ladies &
Gentlemen" was a good way to get passengers attention prior to the meat
of the message. But I don't see why the phraseology shouldn't be subtly
changed as long as it doesn't descend to "Oi, Plebs" or worse. :-)

Oh and ... we're *passengers* please.

*Keith*

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

Robin Mayes wrote:
Surprised this already hasn't come up.

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A.
messages with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and
gentlemen". By Monday it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

This sort of regimentation is bad. By all means have standards, but one of
the standards should be that the format should vary. I think it's pleasant
to hear "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen" occasionally, but not every
couple of minutes.

Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

Both. I've never quite understood what is meant to be good or bad about the
use of these terms. Why do some people object to being called a customer by
LU, when presumably they have no objection to, say, Selfridges using that
term if they are shopping there?

--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Richard J." wrote in message
...
Robin Mayes wrote:
Surprised this already hasn't come up.

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A.
messages with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and
gentlemen". By Monday it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

This sort of regimentation is bad. By all means have standards, but one of
the standards should be that the format should vary. I think it's
pleasant
to hear "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen" occasionally, but not every
couple of minutes.

Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

Both. I've never quite understood what is meant to be good or bad about
the
use of these terms. Why do some people object to being called a customer
by
LU, when presumably they have no objection to, say, Selfridges using that
term if they are shopping there?

The question that arises in both cases who is a customer/passenger and who
is not? Let's say a group of people decide to travel by train, One pay the
fare for all. Clearly they are all passengers but are they all customers?

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

Cast_Iron wrote:
"Richard J." wrote in message
...
Robin Mayes wrote:
Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

Both. I've never quite understood what is meant to be good or bad
about the use of these terms. Why do some people object to being
called a customer by LU, when presumably they have no objection to,
say, Selfridges using that term if they are shopping there?

The question that arises in both cases who is a customer/passenger
and who is not? Let's say a group of people decide to travel by
train, One pay the fare for all. Clearly they are all passengers but
are they all customers?

Yes. They are members of a group who are recipients of a service provided
by the train operator for which the operator has been paid. The fact that
one person pays for all their tickets (or an individual may have his ticket
bought by his company, or a pensioner has his Freedom Pass paid for by his
London borough, or a Travelcard holder has paid his fare to a different
operator) makes no difference. Those people all expect to be treated as
customers.
--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Cast_Iron" wrote in message
...

I would say that using somethig like "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening" or
somesuch is a useful way of attracting people's attention so that by the
time you get to deliver the message proper they might be listening to what
your saying.

That's what the bing-bong' was designed to do (amongst other things).

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

On Fri, 12 Sep 2003 17:05:16 +0100, "Robin Mayes"
wrote:

Surprised this already hasn't come up.

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A. messages
with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and gentlemen". By Monday
it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

While I understand it was decreed from "on high" as being more polite
and appropriate than "customer information" I find having to listen to
an interminable drawl of "this line, that line, that line over there,
and the other line are all running normally and I repeat ...... " at
Kings Cross as I change trains just too bloody much. Especially at 7.30
in the morning and especially when I'm being told the Victoria Line has
delays when I've just a completely undelayed journey !

I do like the simple posters with the line listing and normal service or
delays or whatever as that gives a good snapshot and is easy to read.
However it's pretty silly to say e.g. "Normal Service" on the Northern
Line and on an adjacent whiteboard say "due to signal failure at
Stockwell there are delays on the Northern Line". I'm sure we'll get it
right eventually.

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

Can't comment as I'll get fired if I say the wrong thing. Especially as
I met the big boss for the first time this week.

Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

As I don't pay anything I can't be a customer.

Not only would I like to know, but I'm sure
would too!

You write in first!
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Cast_Iron" wrote in message
...

The question that arises in both cases who is a customer/passenger and who
is not? Let's say a group of people decide to travel by train, One pay the
fare for all. Clearly they are all passengers but are they all customers?

I agree that the two phases don't have to be mutually exclusive. Passengers
can be given good customer service.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Paul Corfield" wrote in message
...

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

Can't comment as I'll get fired if I say the wrong thing. Especially as
I met the big boss for the first time this week.

I've been told he's pretty down to earth actually. Spends lots of time
travelling around, especially in the evening.

Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

As I don't pay anything I can't be a customer.

As the pass is part of your employment entitlement and taxable, you do, just
indirectly. Same as freedom pass holders ;-)

Not only would I like to know, but I'm sure
would too!

You write in first!

Already emailed the QSIT team, repeatedly...

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Robin Mayes" wrote the following in:



"Cast_Iron" wrote in message
...

I would say that using somethig like "Good
Morning/Afternoon/Evening" or somesuch is a useful way of
attracting people's attention so that by the time you get to
deliver the message proper they might be listening to what your
saying.

That's what the bing-bong' was designed to do (amongst other
things).

And if something has to be said, I'd prefer "Attention please" to "Good
morning".

--
message by Robin May, founder of International Boyism
"Would Inspector Sands please go to the Operations Room immediately."

Unofficially immune to hangovers.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Robin Mayes" wrote in message
...
Surprised this already hasn't come up.

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A.
messages
with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and gentlemen". By
Monday
it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

Personally, I hate it. It is patronising and pompous. Apart from which, what
about all of the minors who travel by public transport?

Equally "Good morning, passengers/customers" sounds like a greeting from
"Hi-de-Hi".

How about something like "Good morning/afternoon/evening. The following
train running information is correct as at nn:00 hours. Train services are
currently running as follows. There are delays on the Bakerloo line due to a
person under a train at Waterloo." etc etc.?

That kind of message avoids gender/age etc confusion. It provides a
time-stamp for passengers and the preamble is sufficient to draw the
attention of travellers on the platforms prior to the 'meat' of the message.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Jack Taylor" wrote in message
...

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A.
messages
with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and gentlemen". By
Monday
it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

Personally, I hate it. It is patronising and pompous. Apart from which,
what
about all of the minors who travel by public transport?

Equally "Good morning, passengers/customers" sounds like a greeting from
"Hi-de-Hi".


There was discussion locally about adding "boys and girls", as was "in the
red corner" and renaming every station "Vietnam" ;-)

How about something like "Good morning/afternoon/evening. The following
train running information is correct as at nn:00 hours. Train services are
currently running as follows. There are delays on the Bakerloo line due to
a
person under a train at Waterloo." etc etc.?

Trouble is, as service information changes regularly, I'm now spending the
majority of my time telling people there's no service back from Timbuktu
when it' almost always certain that the service will be restored before they
even reach there, let alone decide to come back, that I don't have time to
deal with the 'normal' cancellations which ends with 15-20 minute gaps on
the Circle Line.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

I've been using Good Afternoon etc since I passed out, it gets the customers
attention and I feel makes them feel a bit more valued, and it gives me the
moral high ground when passing on bad news.

I also find that saying things twice tends to get it through most
"Customers" thick skulls, they don't often listen the first time.

Those who don't like it maybe these would be better
"Listen to ME, Listen to ME"
or "OIIIIIIIII"
or "Whatsuppppp"

BTS


"Robin Mayes" wrote in message
...
Surprised this already hasn't come up.

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A.
messages
with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and gentlemen". By
Monday
it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

Not only would I like to know, but I'm sure
would too!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

In message , Robin Mayes
writes
Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

We are not cattle. We are not freight. We are not passengers. London
Underground provides a service (allegedly) which us customers pay for.
(Well most of us pay)
I think if LU saw us as customers rather passengers maybe their staff
would treat us as customers rather than an hindrance.
--
CJG

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

CJG wrote the following in:


In message , Robin
Mayes writes
Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

We are not cattle.

No one was saying that.

We are not freight.

No one was saying that.

We are not passengers.

Err, yes we are. Dictionary definition of passenger:

A person who travels in a conveyance, such as a car or train, without
participating in its operation.

--
message by Robin May, founder of International Boyism
"Would Inspector Sands please go to the Operations Room immediately."

Hacker is to computer as boy racer is to Ford Escort.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

In message , Robin May
writes
Err, yes we are. Dictionary definition of passenger:

A person who travels in a conveyance, such as a car or train, without
participating in its operation.

And its this view point of "customers" that make station assistants tut
loudly when you ask them a question.
"Why can't the passengers just get their train without bothering me"
--
CJG

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"CJG" wrote in message
...
In message , Robin May
writes
Err, yes we are. Dictionary definition of passenger:

A person who travels in a conveyance, such as a car or train, without
participating in its operation.

And its this view point of "customers" that make station assistants tut
loudly when you ask them a question.
"Why can't the passengers just get their train without bothering me"

Perhaps it's the obnoxious manner of the questioner that they're tutting
about rather than the simple fact of being asked a question?

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

In message , Cast_Iron
writes
Perhaps it's the obnoxious manner of the questioner that they're
tutting about rather than the simple fact of being asked a question?

Well sadly being asked the same question over and over again even though
the answer is quite obvious to anyone with half a brain cell in a rude
manner and getting no thanks for your answer is part of customer service
and Im sure anyone who works in any kind of customer role (from Tesco
cashiers to the mighty heights of Station Assistant) will tell you they
have to put up with rude arrgorant people.
If you don't like dealing with people. Don't do the job.
--
CJG

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

Robin Mayes wrote:
Surprised this already hasn't come up.

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A. messages
with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and gentlemen". By Monday
it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?
I hate it. It devalues people who automatically say this kind of thing
out of politeness. If someoen is forced to do this kind of thing it
sounds forced and unmeaningfull.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

Chris p wrote:
unmeaningfull.

Can I ask where this one came from?

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Cast_Iron" wrote in message
...
Chris p wrote:
unmeaningfull.

Can I ask where this one came from?

"The Management"

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"boristhe.spider" wrote in message
...
I've been using Good Afternoon etc since I passed out, it gets the
customers
attention and I feel makes them feel a bit more valued, and it gives me
the
moral high ground when passing on bad news.

I also find that saying things twice tends to get it through most
"Customers" thick skulls, they don't often listen the first time.

Those who don't like it maybe these would be better
"Listen to ME, Listen to ME"
or "OIIIIIIIII"
or "Whatsuppppp"

BTS



I think all public announcements should be prefaced with
"You probably won't be too shocked to hear that......."

Or

"Look, we are really sorry but............"


"Robin Mayes" wrote in message
...
Surprised this already hasn't come up.

The end of last week, we were all told that we had to precede P.A.
messages
with "Good (morning / afternoon / evening) ladies and gentlemen". By
Monday
it was reduced to "Ladies and gentlemen".

How do you feel about this? Do you think it's a tad Americanised?

Do you consider yourself customers or passengers?

Not only would I like to know, but I'm sure
would too!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Robin Mayes" wrote in message
.. .

"Cast_Iron" wrote in message
...
Chris p wrote:
unmeaningfull.

Can I ask where this one came from?

"The Management"


'nuff said (rolls eyes in despair)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

On Tue, 16 Sep 2003 19:40:54 +0100 HP wrote:
}
} I think all public announcements should be prefaced with
} "You probably won't be too shocked to hear that......."
}
} Or
}
} "Look, we are really sorry but............"

Last night I heard "Yo! Da big man wants the cleaner on platform two,
now like."

Shrug It made a change and raised a smile.

Matthew
--
Záhid sharáb píné dé, masjid mein baith kar
ya woh jagah batá dé jahán Khudá na ho.
http://www.calmeilles.co.uk/

Good evening ladies and gentlemen
 

"Matthew Malthouse" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 16 Sep 2003 19:40:54 +0100 HP wrote:
}
} I think all public announcements should be prefaced with
} "You probably won't be too shocked to hear that......."
}
} Or
}
} "Look, we are really sorry but............"

Last night I heard "Yo! Da big man wants the cleaner on platform two,
now like."

Shrug It made a change and raised a smile.

I spent some time in the states and there was a bus driver that used to
announce weather reports and stock market info..There was a scrolling
information board downtown and he would just read all the info to the
passengers with his own little imbelishments.

"Good morning ladies and gentleman, and welcome to downtown san francisco on
this georgous morning. You will be pleased to hear that it we are expecting
good weather all day, and the Dow Jones index is looking good etc :)"

I used to think it was hilarious!





Matthew
--
Záhid sharáb píné dé, masjid mein baith kar
ya woh jagah batá dé jahán Khudá na ho.
http://www.calmeilles.co.uk/