The needed quiet

[Clyde Hollinger]

Friends,

Most of my clients provide a quiet working atmosphere because it is
requested on the appointment card I send them.  For those who don't, I
usually ask that they reduce or eliminate the noise.  I use one of two
approaches.  Some noises make it difficult to hear, while others make it
difficult to concentrate.  I usually include, "... and I want to do a good
job for you."  There is rarely resistance.

Some just don't give it any thought, like when they are in a different part
of the house but leave the radio on in the kitchen.

Regards,
Clyde Hollinger, RPT
Lititz, PA, USA

Dave Nereson wrote:

> In twenty years of tuning, maybe 3 or 4 times the customer (invariably a
> new piano owner) has asked,  "Do you guys take tips?", to which I reply,
> "It's not customary" or something to that effect.  However, I have had
> many many customers routinely write the check for $5 to $25 over the
> amount on my bill as appreciation for doing a good job (or maybe they
> think I'm not charging enough).  I also get cookies if they happen to be
> eating or baking some.  Almost everyone asks if I have enough light and
> if I'd like a Coke or glass of water.  Also, I occasionally get garden
> produce and invitations to join them for lunch or dinner, etc., but this
> is usually with long-time customers or customers who are friends of
> friends.  Most people are nice but there are those whom I have to ask
> not to vacuum, or to turn the stereo, TV, or kids down (and in some
> households, that after-school TV time is sacred and you're the devil
> himself to request they lower the volume.  You know they watch TV every
> dam day after school, but that one day out of roughly 160 school days in
> the year when the piano tuner comes and they have to turn it down or off
> is just torture, agony, cruel and unusual punishment.  God forbid they
> deal with reality and do something creative rather than submit their
> entire consciousness, wits, and body to that electronic opiate.
> Sometimes they turn it up even louder to hear their cartoons over my
> incessant unison-pounding.  One mom, apparently dependent on that tube
> to babysit while she cooked, was almost incensed that I asked her to
> turn the TV down.  "Well I can hear the piano fine, and I'm way back
> here in the kitchen!"  Oh gawd, now I have to explain about partials and
> beats and ... ).  But they're the minority.  Most people are considerate
> and around Christmas I've even gotten hams, turkeys, entire cans of
> cookies, etc.   --Dave N. dnereson@dim.com