DeSoto has a rich history of a diverse population of families, businesses, and recreational opportunities.
In June 2016, DeSoto received the prestigious award for being an All-American City.
It also is one of the oldest settlements in North Texas.
It was in 1847, just eleven years after Texas won its independence from Mexico that families first settled in the area that is now DeSoto.
Past and present notable residents have included Hall of Fame professional football player Tim Brown, former Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant, NBA star Chris Bosh, and Texas State Senator Royce West, just to name a few.
DeSoto has the makings to be labeled the All-American City again, but what might keep us from that distinction is the obvious lack of good customer service, which is missing in many of our local businesses.
How many times have you supported certain types of businesses, such as fast-food establishments, only to be given rude service when giving your order and receiving your order?
No one bothered to say, “Thank you” or “Please come again.” One might hear “Have a good or great day” in some places, but instinctively, your response will be “Thank you” to them! It’s an automatic response from people who regularly demonstrate good manners.
DeSoto has rich and vibrant businesses, but what absolutely stunts the growth of a business and community is poor customer service. Rude service is usually demonstrated when you go to check your order and see that it’s made wrong, and you politely notify the establishment only to get an even more boorish response.
Or witnessing a lack of appreciation for the customer’s value. These experiences leave a lasting negative impact.
Perhaps more training is needed in these businesses to help appreciate the cultural value of the city.
Yes, there are rude customers, and yes, there are customers who test the limits of employees at their jobs, and these customers should be ashamed.
But this is DeSoto, a city where we pride ourselves on being a real community and looking out for one another.
We, as a city and as a community, ask the question, “Why do we go spend our money in neighboring cities when we can spend our money and reinvest it back into DeSoto to make it better?”
Well, we know the answer to that question. Quality over quantity and good customer service are just some of the ways to help enact change.
Just that little change might prevent people from spending a significant amount of money in neighboring communities and keep spending it in ours.
I think when you leave an establishment, such as a grocery store, clothing store, or fast-food place, it would be nice to feel that the establishment appreciates your patronage and that you, as a customer, leave feeling it was worth it to spend your hard-earned money there.
My parents taught me that it costs nothing to be kind or thankful.
Maybe I’m the only one feeling that way. Just saying …………what about you???