Don't ask me questions, let me talk‼️ | Hosting, sales, and communication skills are all the same❤︎

This is about when I went to a nightlife establishment.

I sat down, and a hostess joined me at the table.

(In the case of a walk-in without a specific request, that is)

Right after meeting, I sometimes get bombarded with a series of questions: "What's your name?", "How old are you?", "What do you do for a living?"

It feels like a job interview or an interrogation😱

At worst, the next hostess who sits next to you will ask the exact same things.

Huh? I feel like I've heard this somewhere before...

I think that, but surprisingly, this happens at every shop.

In the first place,the truly popular ones, whether they are hosts or hostesses, don't provide service like this.

In yesterday's article, I wrote that there are hosts who do this too.

In the comments section, I saw opinions saying they couldn't believe it.

I see, I see...

Try going to a cabaret club or a host club and see for yourself.

Unfortunately, it's not just a small number; you will encounter it quite often.

It is true that it is difficult for the service staff to handle a customer without knowing anything about them.

If it were a professional consultation or a help desk, it would be natural to ask for personal information.

You have to know the situation and the other person's circumstances to come up with a strategy.

This is also true at bars or counter-style izakayas, but when talking to someone you've just met,what's important isn't the opening move, but what comes next.

Even if you have a conversation starter, if silence follows, it becomes even more awkward than before you started talking.

Perhaps, after reading the title, some people might think the correct answer to this article is that being a good listener is the key.

However, if you're just a good listener, they might pay you, but there's no way they'll request you.

Once the other person has said everything they wanted to say and feels refreshed, if they are informed that their set time (nightlife jobs are usually on a time-based fee system) is up, they are highly likely to leave at that point.

Many hosts hand over a business card and state their name (or rather, their stage name) when they sit down at a table.

But from my perspective, that shows no sense.

Because everyone does that.

As I mentioned earlier, asking for someone's "name," "age," or "occupation" shows zero sense, and I even talked about that in yesterday's article.

There are many opinions that people don't want to be treated that way, yet many hosts, after introducing themselves, immediately ask for the other person's name.

(For the reason why you should ask for a nickname instead of a name, read yesterday's article❤︎)

It's ordinary for better or worse, so it leaves no impression at all.

In the first place, at a restaurant, the service—like food and drinks—is what sells.

Customer service skills aren't zero, but there are shops with many customers where the taste is so good that they can ignore customer service, like a stubborn old shop owner.

Conversely, while hosts and cabaret clubs do provide alcohol, the main point isn't to drink alcohol, but to come and experience something extraordinary.

If you just wanted to drink alcohol, you could go to an izakaya or a bar, or even just drink at home.

In other words, you can't do ordinary things.

It is important to raise the other person's energy level within the first few seconds of meeting them.

However, regarding this, the same can actually be said for sales.

Many typical sales professionals also start by handing out business cards and introducing themselves.

Since everyone does it, the start is ordinary.

So, what should you do?

This is a damn simple story.

You should choose something the other person would want to be complimented on as your very first remark.

In other words, you should focus on lifting their spirits before even using the name they want to be called or their real name.

By the way, I have experienced being a top global salesperson in insurance and network marketing, and I did the exact same thing there.

When I first met someone, I would compliment them before handing over my business card.

If they looked like they worked out, I'd say something like, "Wow, you have amazing muscles! How much do you train?"

It is rare to find someone who gets annoyed when you compliment them on something they are working hard at or feel confident about.

Actually, I don't think there's anyone like that.

That said, they rarely answer with immediate confidence, like "That's right!" or "Well, yeah."

Even if they are secretly confident or happy, they will be humble.

If possible, repeat these compliments on two or three things the other person would be happy to hear, and once their mood has lifted, bring it up as if you just remembered.

If you present your business card in this flow, saying, "I'm sorry, I was just so captivated that I started talking about something else. I'm late in introducing myself...", the other person will accept it with a smile.

It is important to know how to eliminate the other person's wariness from the start, and since everyone else just hands out business cards, it is easy to differentiate yourself.

In the case of a host, you look for things to compliment the guest on while you are on your way to their table.

If possible, it is best to find about three points you can compliment the guest on before you sit down.

However, unfortunately, when you can't find such points to compliment, you have no choice but to prepare one, andwhile sounding a bit excited,convey it to them as you sit down next to them.

You compliment them on what you guess is the right spot, and while they are talking proudly about it, you look for the next point to compliment.

By the way, long after I quit being a host, I was surprised to hear Atsushi from the comedy duo London Boots say something similar.

He said he asks a question, and while the other person is answering, he thinks of the next question and the one after that.That's right.

I was strangely convinced, thinking, "Ah, I have the exact same approach."

Hitoshi Matsumoto of the comedy duo Downtown has also said something similar in the past.

He says that when asked a question, he gives a slightly off-the-wall answer, and while the other person is laughing or making a retort, he uses that time to figure out his next move.

People with high communication skills are often called good listeners.

Actually, that's not wrong, but I feel like you only become a good listener once you're good at lifting the other person's mood and drawing them out so they want to start talking on their own.I get the feeling.

People often mistake just saying 'uh-huh' while the other person talks monotonously for being a good listener,but doing that is the same as talking to a wall.

If you think that level of listening makes you a good listener, then these days, an AI might be better at it.

The method for asking about someone's age or occupation is just an application of this, but this has gotten long, so I'll save it for next time❤︎

I've been talking about host stuff like this for days now, is that okay?

If there is demand, I would appreciate it if you could leave a comment again.

The number of likes has been decreasing, so I think I'll wrap this up soon🥺

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