Some of you always read reviews, and some of you never do. Thank you for sharing when you saw me out and about.
One reader also asked, “What do you look for in a restaurant?”
Answer: Being able to park helps. And make it easy to reserve.
I try to be a pleasant customer, but I have my preferences.
This may be cultural, but I like my food served hot (unless it’s a salad or ice cream).
I figure if the McDonald’s restaurant around the corner from our house can deliver the burger and fries to my satisfaction, then so can a self-proclaimed five-star restaurant.
And there’s just something unappealing about congealed sauce.
At brunch I like eggs fresh from the griddle for the same reason.
While I’m a journalist, I also recognize that we’re in the service industry at Glimpses Media, and I’m always interested in whatever dilemma or news you may have. We can help. We want to help. Reach out anytime.
Which brings me to my recent visit to Guam’s Department of Revenue & Taxation.
I was second in line at one of the departments one morning. I have always found the staff at Rev&Tax to be genuinely helpful. It isn’t their fault they have hundreds of customers to deal with, that their equipment and systems are antiquated or down, and more challenges.
I stood behind a man who was yelling at the staff.
He’s a regular apparently, the staff told me. Don’t be that person.
I might have asked his name, but I also visited an ABC store in Tumon and saw a wonderful employee engaging with every tourist in line at the store. (We should probably offer to hire him.)
Meanwhile, my final word on restaurants: while our tourism numbers are down, take advantage. We really do have some wonderful restaurants in Guam at all price points and the same is true of all the islands.
And if you are in the service industry, training helps, attitude helps.
Meanwhile, bon appetite.
And lastly, a word on my esteemed profession (loved more than attorneys, at least). On Aug. 25 and 26 journalists from Glimpses Media, KUAM TV, The Guam Daily Post, the Pacific Daily News and the Pacific Island Times gathered at the Wyndham Garden Guam to be educated and challenged by Steven Youngblood, journalism program coordinator at the East-West Center in Hawaii. Steven donated his time and will be continuing training in Palau.
As many of you know, we are in a training desert in the islands, and while there are opportunities elsewhere, the cost of an off-island trip is daunting. So, we included the Government of Guam PIOs and public affairs professionals from the U.S. military, as well as marketing professionals from Glimpses Advertising and elsewhere.
I discovered I don’t know everything. But the discussions during the sessions and during the breaks were stimulating, as was the networking. Steven also met with students at the University of Guam.
My thanks go to our sponsors, which include The East-West Center, United Airlines, the University of Guam, Glimpses Media, Sentry Hospitality, Wyndham Garden Hotel Guam, Subway Restaurants, Tumon Sands Plaza, Chili's Grill & Bar, GFS Group, the Embassy of the United States of America in Palau, the Palasia Hotel Palau, the Palau Ministry of State, the Office of the President of Palau, and Surangel & Sons. mbj
— Maureen N. Maratita is the publisher at Glimpses Media. Glimpses Media includes the Marianas Business Journal, Guam Business Magazine, The Guam Guide, Wave 105.1 FM, Power98 and Route99.
