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Roadwarrior Tip #1:
DIY!
What's the last thing I do before leaving a hotel room? Make two [lengthy] trips around the room, searching ceaselessly for stuff I've left behind; since I work a lot sitting on the bed, tossing the sheets once or twice is also an important part of the ritual.
But that's not the tip.
The tip, #1 in this new series, is not aimed at lightening your burden, but adding to it. And the tip is mostly "boys only."
My next-to-last activity, after my last pre-trip pee, is to clean the toilet. This need not apply to you, but as for me, I'm disgusted that anyone would be burdened with wiping up the near guaranteed pee stains that boys-of-all-ages leave on (or near, or nearly near) the toilet. I do the same thing at home before our folks who clean the house weekly show up. (I told them that if I missed the toilet—they were not under any circumstances to clean it.) And despite the added exposure to germs, I do it in an airplane if my aim had turned out to be worse than usual.
(FYI, I've also observed that 1st class toilets are generally messier than those in coach—draw your own conclusions. And this is not only when AIG execs are on board—now that is unfair.)
(Above, TP prepping for a San Antonio speech—no PowerPoint allowed. For note cards, I made a PPT slide presentation, printed it two-slides-per-page, snipped the pages in half with my trusty Swiss Army knife, and created a stack of editable notes. You'll also see, along with coffee, my Coke Zero—I had to walk a mile to find a convenience store with CZ. And, no, Coke did not fork over $$$ for this prominent product placement. Also ... OF COURSE ... you will see Ziplocs around and about—a world without ZLs is a world not worth contemplating!)
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Comments
Tom, if this is Tip 1, I can't wait for the rest!
Posted by RobCH at March 20, 2009 9:40 AM
Wow! This may be one of the funniest posts in some time . Cool post TP and one reason that I have followed you for so many years - straight forward talk!
Posted by JohnB at March 20, 2009 10:32 AM
Pretty funny...remind me not to shake your hand when we meet.
RobCH...I have an idea of what tip #2 may focus on, perhaps a doody call and wiping techniques. Is this chit-chat?
Posted by Scott Peters at March 20, 2009 10:39 AM
There are some exceptions to your mantra "Fire Ready Aim" then aye Tom? :-)
On the subject of the small room ... am I the only one in the world who's noticed that ‘small room designers’ in some hotels must have a perverted sense of humour given the places they fix toilet roll holders - some are clearly designed only for contortionists.
Happy Springtime!
Posted by Trevor Gay at March 20, 2009 10:41 AM
And you don't even have to sit down! ;-) We women have to do "toilet patrol" wherever we go. Glad to know I'm not the only "perverse" one (and yes, I've noticed that about 1st class toilets.)
But seriously folks, it's about common courtesy - and consideration for others. Wiping down a toilet, saying thank you, acknowledging the "service" people are people too. That goes a very long way.
Posted by Mary Schmidt at March 20, 2009 10:48 AM
"Wiping down a toilet, saying thank you, acknowledging the "service" people are people too. That goes a very long way."
--not to mention putting the seat down!
Great post, TP! Cathy, loved your ending note! I smiled aloud.
Posted by Judith Ellis at March 20, 2009 11:17 AM
Too Much Information.
Tom, my Mom thanks you for filling in for her from time to time!
Posted by Dave Holland at March 20, 2009 11:36 AM
Like the stock markets - I thought TPC could go no lower - but this TP post proves me wrong. :>)
Posted by C Love at March 20, 2009 5:33 PM
Tip #1 is better than the 100 plus tips you had in your last list... Tom Peters, you and I must have some obsessive compulsive personalities traits in common because I do exactly what you describe before I (we when traveling with family) leave the hotel room... Good to know there are other 'nuts' out there! I also do the toilet wipe... Yesterday had an iced coffee with my wife at my friend's local cafe and then after using his impeccably clean toilet as you do I cleaned it .... Yeah say no more, I am insane, I know.... My two sons will testify to that fact...
Tip #2 (for guys too mainly I guess but I am sure you will get to tips for the gals)... Take the time to learn how to shake hands in a firm and deliberate manner.,, I was instructing my 15 year old on the correct technique recently - he said he knows about all "this stuff" but I ask myself does he do it routinely? I believe a firm and deliberate handshake will prove to be a life long asset for him. Of course he has to wash his hands well after using toilets - now that is not clearly a bad thing either......
Tip #3 Intimidated by your boss... Imagine him or her on the toilet with his or her pants pulled down below the knees... This one worked for me when I worked for a very powerful man who everyone was intimidated by... he and I worked well together after I realised he was a simple 'front liner' in the overall scheme of things....
Posted by Richard Lipscombe at March 20, 2009 5:48 PM
"Good to know there are other 'nuts' out there! I also do the toilet wipe... Yesterday had an iced coffee with my wife at my friend's local cafe and then after using his impeccably clean toilet as you do I cleaned it .... Yeah say no more, I am insane, I know.... My two sons will testify to that fact..."
Nice, Richard. Good to see you.
Posted by Judith Ellis at March 20, 2009 6:04 PM
And just how do you transport that assault weapon Swiss army knife through the airport?
Posted by Terry Ransbury at March 20, 2009 9:33 PM
Tom:
Just wrote a post FOR YOU: http://jobhacking.typepad.com/job_hacking/2009/03/i-was-drinking-my-morning-coffee-watching-the-fog-and-reading-through-my-daily-blogs-saw-that-tom-peters-had-several-posts.html
The short form: Medical Exam Gloves. Enough said!
Posted by Dave Hardwick at March 21, 2009 10:45 AM
Hi Tom,
As Richard pointed out above, glad that I am not the only "nut" that does this. In addition to being concerned about the toilet, I also tend to bundle the towels in a way that no one has to touch anything wet and also do a quick cleaning of the sink.
Yes, how did you get the knife to the room.
Posted by Todd Hatley at March 21, 2009 10:50 AM
Here's Cool Friend Dan Pink's response to Tom's first road warrior tip:
http://www.danpink.com/archives/2009/03/advice-from-the-ultimate-road-warrior
While you're there, be sure to check out Dan's travel tips as well.
Posted by Shelley Dolley at March 24, 2009 7:42 AM
I think there must be quite a few of us OCD bowl cleaners out there. I realized I could work around the problem easily long ago. I honor my feminine side and sit, no matter the outcome!
Posted by Rick in VT at March 25, 2009 12:46 PM
Here's a tip, and a good way to acknowledge the hotel "service staff"--in most cases in my experience the overworked, middle-aged female housekeeper (ref. "Nickel and Dimed to Death" by Barbara Ehrenreich)--leave short TY note with a tip, including some multiple that corresponds to the number of days you've spent in the room.
Posted by patrick friel at March 26, 2009 9:47 AM