front line PR and the easily inflated ego of a minivan mom

So PR is pretty organic business. The checkout person, the waitress, the receptionist -- the front line folks really set the tone and either carry the day or wreck it for a business. Today, I must commend Arby's on this. This is one of those moments when personal and professional cross paths. And I have to say the service, generally in this town is baaaaad. Teenagers with attitude, etc.

So today I go through the Arby's drive-thru in my mommy-style minivan and order a beef & cheddar b/c I love them and b/c I had exactly three singles in my wallet and some change after buying diapers and a shredder. (These are not related.) So I drive through and the nose-beringed teenage guy who takes my money offers up a little banter. "You should have bought 3 for $5 -- they keep in the fridge and they aren't bad heated up." he tells me. I tell him I'm just not that hungry and then he pulls out the kicker -- the line that will keep this 38-year old mom of three comin' back for more. "I really like your stockings," he says with just a hint of leer. (I have on a skirt and black funky tights -- no garters or anything, just slightly art-y work clothes).

I've been out of the game for some time, but damn whether it was sincere or not, there is NOTHING better than a little ego boost after buying diapers! I left there feeling very good and that's what PR is. Everybody feeling good.