How should I act toward high class people?

Question

I am workin as a bussboy at a country club and I want to know how to greet them and start a conversation with them. Any tips?

Answer 1

From what I can gather Jason you are living in Los Angeles? I'm originally from New York but lived in Los Angeles for seven years. I know the game that is played there. I don't believe in labelling people just because they want to appear more important than they actually are. Because one has the money to belong to a county club makes them no better or worse. People are people, and if you approach someone with an inferior attitude that is how they will treat you. Smile, and be pleasant on your job, and you'll do fine. Never label yourself or others because this will cause you to start doubting yourself. Be cordial when you start any conversation, and if these country club people have any class at all they will respond. If they don't respond so what!

Answer 2

Most people have already given you the best advice.
Watch and learn from your peers in the job, which are I'm sure are just respectful and there to do the job that they are paid for.
Good manners goes a long way, customers/clients expect that in any enviroment, except the higher the establishment the higher the good standards and courtesy should be, as this is part of what they are paying for in the first place.
As long as the guests/boss aren't complaining, then I'm sure you are doing your job right.
Just asking the question shows that you already have the heart to make a good impression.
Obvious greetings would be good afternoon etc, but most conversations will probably come from the customers, maybe asking for directions to somewhere else afterwards etc...maybe knowing local events/ directions would be handy to know.
You'll soon know what the general of them will want to know through experience, just remember to look it up in case it's asked often.
Giving compliments on a nice car also can be an icebreaker, but just don't be rude as to ask the price of course.

Answer 3

Realize that they are just people. A lot of rich, "high class" people are very humble. You'd be surprised. Just realize that nobody is better than anybody else, some just have more money. That's really the only difference between them and you.

Try to distinguish between the ones who were born into money, and the ones who earned it. The ones who earned it will act way better. You'll generally know who they are right away, because their attitudes are different than those born into it.

Always try to talk to the ones who seem friendly, and want to talk. Some won't want to, and you can take your cues from them. If someone smiles at you, chances are they will be receptive to you saying, "hi, how are you?" That's all you have to do to start a conversation with anybody. Then, if you can't think of anything else, discuss what a nice day it is. Something like that.

Who knows? Before long, you might be talking about the last good football game you saw, and then maybe, just maybe, the classy gentleman will talk to you about how you remind him of himself when he was your age, and how he worked in a country club as a young man, too.

Answer 4

Working as a busboy I really don't think you are going to have much of a chance to have a lot of conversation with the customer. But just remember, people are pretty much the same regardless of how much money they may have or may not have. And you will find that the ones that are very wealthy are usually nice and down to earth, and willing to have a conversation. It's the people that put on a front wanting people to think that they are richer then they really are or more important then most.....these are the ones that are not nice regardless how you may approach them. And it's not worth your time to bother with them. These are the name droppers, the bragger's, show offers, etc. The wealthy don't act like that. Just be polite and respectful to all and in the long run you will benefit from it. Because you will meet some not so nice people in the atmosphere that you will be working in, so keep your cool and be pleasant.

Answer 5

Just one suggestion to add - don't go out of your way to make conversation or be inquisitive. You are there to provide a service in a pleasant manner, not to make friends. Although you might assume that having bad manners or being rude might be very common, the most frequent "customer relations" reason for firing help in the hospitality industry is attempting to be too friendly or inquisitive with the customers.

Be considerate of the people who you are serving - they aren't there to make friends with the new busboy, they're their for a quiet meal or to socialize with their friends. Polite, smiling, and deferential will get you bigger tips than over friendly any day of the week.

Oh, and one other thing that many people in the service industry seem to forget - use good, standard English and speak clearly. No "ain't". No "What's up?" No "workin" instead of "working". By speaking well you show not only respect for the customer, but respect for yourself.

Answer 6

Greet them with "How are you" or "Good day." You are a paid servant to the country club.

Ask if they would like some more water or other service.

If you listen in there conversation, do not join them unless they invite you to.

Answer 7

They are no different from you. Be yourself, but don't be crude, rude or judgemental. You are an important person.
If a person says thank you, say "you're welcome"
You are in a business that you could be recognized.
Don't do anything to jeopardize that. (hope that's spelled right)
Hold yourself high and people will respect you.
Be respectful as you would want to be respected.
By the way, you never, ever, know who you're talking to.
Be aware of that.

Answer 8

With high class people - act High Class.
With low class people - act low class
With intellectuals - act intelligent
With fools - act foolish

(when you are in Rome - act Roman)

Serve your "high class" people with a smile. Approach them in a friendly manner (but NOT as if personal friends). Be willing to tell them of your ambitions, etc - if asked.

Answer 9

be polite, courteous, intelligently witty, and if you really wanna kiss-butt stroke they're ego by telling them "this is the best job i have ever had, i get to work around such great people like you" that will get you some good tips! rich snooty people like nothing more than for someone to agree with everything they say and look up to them.

Answer 10

Be yourself. The only thing that they have that you don't is $$$ Ask them, how are you? How was your game today? Is there anything I could do for you? They'll probably get pissed cause you ask too many questions...lol...