The Guess Bar

[Snick]

Thai service mentality is different than the west.

[manarak]

(titian @ Mar. 15 2010,22:16) Having been in Guess Bar last week I'd say it's a whole lot better than it was 6 months ago.  I agree with most of the positive comments made above, but I had one irritating experience last Monday.

I was in the bar for the third night running and ordered a bottle of local water, as I had on the two previous evenings.  They'd run out!  I can understand running out of a rare spirit, but bottled water?  I was offered Evian  instead, and I said sure if I can have it at the local water price - ie 70 bahts instead of 100.  I know it's not a lot of money, but it's the principle.  This was refused, which I thought showed poor customer service.  The barman (Gong?) either thought he didn't have the authority to make such a decision or he couldn't see the customer service aspect - after all it's not as if they were going to sell the Evian at a loss at 70 bahts.  If the former, he shouldn't have been left in charge; if the latter he needs some training.  So I drank nothing.  To his credit, I think he felt embarrassed because he wouldn't take the change I left on the tray (for the pool).

Someone tell me if my expectations are too high.  But please don't excuse it with "This is Thailand"; good customer service = good customer service = good customer service, wherever you are in the world.

I like splitting hairs in four equal parts, and I would argue that Evian IS bottled water.
So they didn't run out of bottled water, they just didn't have the cheap local one which you like.
:-)

anyway, there are enough other beverages that make me happy!
I wouldn't let a missing bottle of water worth 7 baht at the nearest 7-11 ruin my evening.
TIT - it's not an excuse, it's the sad reality!!

Last time I have been in Guess, I didn't enjoy it too much (Summer 2009). The girls were too tall and there weren't too many lookers.
Jay wasn't there and the girls were very disinterested, 2 hit on me with the request for a lady drink coming less than 10 seconds after beginning the conversation.
So I left.

Glad to hear it improved!

[titian]

The following anecdote is better told than written but you'll get the point. A man walked into a tobacconist's and asked for some cigarettes. "A packet of Players please". "Here you are sir, one packet of Players". A second man entered and asked for the same brand. "A packet of Pliers please". "Here you are sir, one packet of Pliers". A third man came into the shop. "I'd like a packet of Plaars please". "One packet of Plaars coming up". Afterwards, another customer, who had witnessed these transactions, asked the shopkeeper which was the correct way to pronounce Players. The shopkeeper replied "The way the customer says it!".

The previous half dozen or so posts may have criticised my expectations or my legendary meanness, but no one has disagreed with my contention that it was poor service. I rest my case.

[EyeMahk]

(titian @ Mar. 17 2010,00:37) The previous half dozen or so posts may have criticised my expectations or my legendary meanness, but no one has disagreed with my contention that it was poor service.  I rest my case.

In the West, it would be poor service.

In Thailand, it would be nice if Thais had *some* western ways of doing things, especially when it suits us. Of course, we don't want them to be "totally westernized" because then the place would be miserable ... just a hotter, stinkier version of the west.

That said, I for one, really enjoy your trip reports and everything you write.

[UpToMe]

Bad call, Gong.  Offering Evian to someone with 'legendary meanness'!  That comment suggests to me the problem was the 30 baht.

[Bumpa STIKKA]

The biggest problem (for us!) with tourist attractions in anywhere in the world is that they never see anyone as a 'repeat customer.'

The other big problem with most small businesses anywhere is that there is no psychology employed with sales.

My biggest annoyance with Thailand in particular is that when you complain the underling responds with a massive grin and absolutely no knowledge, initiative or even reason to fix your problem.

They aren't used to people complaining and they don't know what to do when it happens.

The devil is in the details! Get those right and everything else falls into place.

[titian]

(UpToMe @ Mar. 17 2010,13:42) Bad call, Gong.  Offering Evian to someone with 'legendary meanness'!  That comment suggests to me the problem was the 30 baht.

Rumbled. Bugger!

[nikki393]

I plan to be in Singapore next week 7th and 8th. Any idea if any of the GUESS girl will be there specially Joy or Eats???

[koykaeng]

Have just returned from a very enjoyable 17 night stay in Thailand during which time I spent five nights in Bangkok.

Visited Guess Bar every night I was in Bangkok although I must say the quality & quantity of staff available was variable.

Managed to catch Jay at the bar only once from five visits which was a little disappointing.

The pool table appears to have become the 'focus of attention' for the staff (at least when not stuffing their faces). Taking care of customers now ranks somewhere down the list.

Gong still mixes a fine "Bombay & Tonic", providing you can get him off the pool table and back behind the bar.

Whilst still a good place to meet up with fellow board members for a drink and a chat, it is definitely not the same place I once loved.

Hard to see things improving unless Jay makes a commitment or someone else with some passion is assigned the role of managing the venue.

Cheers
Koykaeng

[Tomcat]

I never had a problem in Guess Bar and cant complain. You dont get ripped off or beaten up, the bill padded ,scratched up , Urine floor or any number of other Bear traps that are set elsewhere for the honest Gentleman abroad.

It seems as if the Bar can never win. To much pressure and guys complain and to little pressure and the moans can be heard. Considering the circumstances i thought all the staff were on good form last week whilst i was in situ.

Its not their fault that the arse has been torn out of the tourist industry. Anybody who can smile through these times deserves a medal.

Good luck to all at the Guess  

[Pinga]

Yes, I was in there a couple of nights ago and was treated quite nicely.

[JaiDee]

(koykaeng @ Apr. 09 2010,06:10) The pool table appears to have become the 'focus of attention' for the staff (at least when not stuffing their faces).  Taking care of customers now ranks somewhere down the list.

IE; same as at the old location, where eating pad thai and chatting amongst themselves on the white sofa's was always the employee's first priority. No pool table then though, the major annoyance at that time was just indecipherable music played at ear-piercing levels.

      All in all I'd say this bar is a success story though, they certainly lasted longer than I had predicted or ever would have thought. I'd guess that being a meeting spot for the LBF people and readers from other forums has been a help in that regard.  If they [and any other bar in BKK for that matter] can make it through the current red shirt and other problems, they will certainly have beaten the odds.

[perth_couple]

To the OP, if not the Guess bar, just which Bangkok ladyboy bar is now the classiest?

[jasongms]

sorry guys but I've been reading these posts and thinking what the fuck ! do you guys still believe in customers service ? It s a  myth . Especially in the western world . 9 out 10 business don€™t give two hoots about customers service . And you guys want CS in Thailand ,what!

I  hate to tell you but this isn't 1950 anymore .No one's going to give you a shoe shine just because you happened to grace their shitting establishment . If your biggest issue is whether you received one type of water over another , then hell as one poet said €œ in everything i find fault ,in short I'm just to damn comfortable €œ.

My biggest issue with the guess bar is and has been since its inception,  the girlsssssssssssss  and the lack of quality . In all due respect, i don€™t really want to see the same girls year in year out .

[azza33]

Post 2 and the gloves are off      

You are correct -- customer service is a load of bollocks for the most part... its all about the $$ in the modern world.