I had something happen this spring, that, at the time didn't rate very much thought, but, it's been bouncing around in my head, ever since. What happened was, a "Display Garden Visitor".....whom I had never met before, and who had called to make an "appointment" to see the garden....was, to my way of thinking anyway, "over critical" of *almost* everything they saw....labels too hard to read, not enough "care" in keeping colors/ sizes separated, ...you name it, she commented on it. Anyway, here's some comments, that, I think *we* as gardeners, iris growers, traders, buyers, and even *hybridizers*....amateur or professional, might find interesting. If YOU have some to add, feel free, and, if you disagree with some, please tell me , "why".
FOR VISITORS
1)I know there are weeds, so don't point out every one I may have missed
2)Don't stomp through the beds, at least ASK first before you do it, if you want to take some pictures, please ask first.
3)DON'T PICK THE FLOWERS !! Again, if you *ask*, I *might* say yes
But, it *may* be my "Dykes Medal winning cross, that you just snapped off !!!
4)Don't "fondle" every blossom...yes, it has "wimpy substance"...you would too, if everyone who passed by rubbed YOU that way
5) Don't leave your empty water bottles (or any other trash, for that matter) laying around the yard...or, throw it out your car window as you drive away
6) A , "Thank You" WOULD be nice to hear, after all, I just "gave" you an hour (or more) of my time
FOR *HOSTS*
1) Let folks know the "bathroom arrangements " if not "your" bathroom, at least the closest public restroom.
2) Try to answer any questions WITHOUT appearing to be bothered by them ! The only 'stupid question" is the one that never gets asked !
3) if the "tour" is very long...have a few lawn chairs available....some folks need to "sit a spell", and a small cooler with some bottled water (or maybe a thermos of hot coffee, if the weather is chilly) is not really too much trouble to provide, either.
FOR "TRADERS"
1) find out "first" if it's a "trade" or a "for postage", be clear on what THEY expect, as well as what YOU expect
2)let the other party know when you mail the box....they have a little warning, that way !
3) let folks know when you GOT the box.....nobody wants to be wondering if it got lost in the system
4) Same thing for the postage reimbursement...let folks know that you received it ! And, for the "sender"....don't wait too long to get it in the mail...please !
5)don't include a bunch of "extras" WITHOUT discussing it FIRST ! I *may* only have room for the ones we talked about, and another half dozen cultivars might really be a case of "not a GIFT, but a BURDON !
6)A simple , "Thank You" is a phrase that CANNOT be "over used"... if they took the time to "share" with you, they deserve at LEAST that much .
7) make sure that the plants you send are "shipped the way they expect them to be shipped)...are you washing only ? dipping ? marked well enough to be read ? Is there a "packing list" included in the box ? That can really be a boon when trying to decipher writing on a shriveled leaf!
FOR BUYERS
1) Yeah, you are the customer, and the customer is always right !! NOPE, not really ! Are you SURE the "one that bloomed wrong" didn't get mixed up in YOUR garden ?
2)if the vendor HAS made an error, or , something else is troubling you about the order...TELL them, and give them a chance to address the problem....and do it in a "nice" manner!
3)And if the order was correct, the bonus' were nice, the service was good...tell them THAT, too ! A follow up e-mail, to let them know the order was received , and to thank them for any bonus plants...or good service when you changed the order three times, doesn't take much time out of your day!
I see it as a simple matter of both "common sense", and "good manners"
