One Broad Abroad: Crafting Duchebagerry

So on Thursday I witnessed a situation at the Heart of Darkness  Craft Brewery here in Ho Chi Minh. A patron was shocked that the beer prices did not include taxes and brought that up a with the pseudo-manager. I call her the pseudo manager as she then went and tattled to a man who I'm guessing is the real manager. Before running to tell daddy/hubby/whoever about what happened she decides not to provide a basic customer service answer and tells the patron this is how it is done in Vietnam.....as if he has never lived here before and is too stupid to know how things are done. She also said that there are bigger problems in the world to worry about.

Interesting answer...shitty customer service begins

So the patron sits down at the the table...still clearly frustrated, but not with the taxes any more, just with the condescending way he was treated. Then this woman brings over the man in charge. He continues to be condescending and as they both stand there drinking their beers proceeds to tell the patron that this is how it goes because the Vietnamese do not understand pricing and will not buy the beer if the taxes were included. Right...this asshole goes on to say that other places include the tax because they do not brew on site.

Whatever buddy.

Now I'm used to patronising and condescending white people and have learnt to accept that they still do not understand their invisible knapsack. However,  I've also taught customer service for over 20 yrs and I was offended by this pompous pairs' approach. They could have simply said "ya sorry, but that is what our management prefers to do. Thanks for coming out though!"..but no. They needed to have the upper hand and seem smarter than customer (the woman even talked about the guy after he left as if he was worthless). Ridiculous.

Then it brought me to thinking about the new craft beer asshole manager system. The people that actually know the science behind the beer are not who I am referring to. I've met a lot of brew-masters and they are proud of their work and happy to talk about it with manners and glee.  I am referring to the assholes hired to manage the bottle shops and the restaurants. The ones who clearly think they are so special they can talk down to customers and give stupid answers to issues such as "this is how it is done around the world (or here)" ..when it is not ...or "there are bigger issues in the world to think about"... ya, because deflecting is a good idea....idiots.

I've experienced the same in Toronto. I remember going to Indie Ale House to eat and then buy a growler. The staff had no social skills. Well they had skills since they spent the time talking to each other and not the single lady eating at the bar. Then when I went to buy the growler the guy acted as if I was disturbing him in trying to find out about the beers they offered.

Needless to say I never went back. I turned the growler bottle into a vase.

These privileged, overconfident, know it all hipsters are worse in Vietnam. They are paid more than local staff, and treated like they belong on the first place podium looking down at losers. Its a new colonialism.  They do not have treat customers with respect because they are the kings of the castle. People have to come to their brewery because...well.. there aren't that many.....in their minds.   There are a lot of craft places here...and a lot of bars. People actually have choices.

Let's face it, there are only so many beer styles and the rest are just variations. There is nothing special about craft except that is it not mass produced in the way the main brews are, but those started as craft...all beer was craft beer at some point!!!

You're not special and the only thing that matters is how you connect with your patrons. That's it.

Oh well. I really liked going there. The last manager was cool guy, but he's moved on.  I guess I can connect with other places now. There are so many brewery's and bars to choose from. I don't have to give my money to jerks. (I was only at Heart for my friend's trivia night anyway).

The moral of the story: relationships are the important aspect of craft beer; the beer is just a beverage.

Why I hostel

I'm 38 years old I work full time, I do stuff and go places, and, when I travel alone, I stay in hostels (I'll include guest stays and rooming houses). I consider myself a basic and budget traveller. Not really a backpacker, but similar. I am not travelling months at a time, I'm taking trips to see sights whenever I get a chance. Sometimes I use a backpack, sometimes I bring a  rolley. All the time I keep it basic and on a budget.

Four seats to myself. Thanks Vietnam Airlines!

This is why I hostel. I know at 38 and with a full time job I am expected to stay at high end hotels and resorts at more than $100/night.  Nonsense. That is fine once in a while if the price is right, but for me I like to hostel. I usually travel alone and hostels offer an advantage that enhances my experiences.

First off, the price is a amazing. Hostels are typically cheaper than the star rated hotel options. They offer single beds or single rooms at a range of prices. I stayed at the Zleep63 in Don Mueng for less than $11CDN a night! This allows me to save money to spend on tours, in the markets, and at the restaurants, museums and other attractions. I also have money to live off of and to have for my annual trip to Vegas (the most lavish trip at the lowest price). How can anyone hate on saving money? What is wrong with realising that you don't need to be spoiled on every trip? Sometimes its just good to have a place to stay and store your luggage.

I also like the access to airports while on stopover without having to stay at one of those high priced airport hotels. In fact, I enjoy having access to all attractions that hostels inexpensively give you access to. Think about it. If you want to stay in a central area most hotels cost a significant amount of money. That cuts into my budget (yes I plan a budget...that's what budget travel means).  Hostels can be found anywhere therefore providing access to all the same attractions and features at a fraction of the cost.

Is not just about saving money, though. It is a great way to meet travel friends. Recently, I stayed at
the Glocal Beachside Hostel in Da Nang. There were a few backpackers there on long term working holidays. I got to meet them at the Utopia Rooftop bar in the Hostel. I ended up doing a day trip to Hoi An with them (I do not ride bikes, so one of them volunteered to take me). I am still friends with these people and I'm sure if any of us are all in the same place again we will meet up.

It is also great to have people to bounce travel ideas off of and hostel people usually have some insights that others will not. Anyone can read a Zagat guide to find out top places to eat or visit, but nothing beats talking to someone that experienced it and went to the places that will never be featured on TV.  Sometimes the owners will show you around or the local staff will lead you to the non-touristy paths.  If you think about it, hostelling builds social networks.

My view from my trip to Marble Mountains,Da Nang

I have to say I also like the idea of me bringing my own items. Many hostels do not provide toiletries and this works for me. I can buy my own little bottles of stuff I like and bring them along or buy reusable bottles and go from there. I do not need to waste what is out there. Sometimes it also feels nice to bring my own towel. I don't know about bringing other linens...I worry about people carrying around bed bugs, but I guess if it is clean it does not matter.

The key in hostelling is knowing what you want and that there are options. I stay in the dorms if it is for one or two nights, otherwise I'll opt for a single room . I do not mind sharing a bathroom or kitchen, but the privacy and ability to just be myself in my room (watch videos late, walk around naked, etc) is amazing. You can also find ones that are super low maintenance and ones that are practically hotels. There are hostels that are an experience on their own-- such as the floating ones in Serbia and Denmark. I have also been to some family friendly ones. The experiences and potentials are endless, but one common thing is that you will sleep under a roof (or some version of it) and still have money to spend. 

So, in the end, I am not ashamed to work full time, be 38, travel alone, and stay in hostels. Should I be?

side note: I do not couch surf--I'm a solo, black, female traveller...but that's a story for another time.

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