How a recent trip reminded me of the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect

“Courtesy shown to the customer shouldn’t be the cherry on the cake, it should be the main ingredient”. That was my father’s mantra when he was running our hardware shop in Warrenpoint. Last week I witnessed courtesy and excellent service while sailing to Scotland on Stena Line.

I shouldn’t have been surprised. There is a sense of discipline among sea farers generally. The people directing traffic, serving food, providing spa treatments are the very same people who will be called upon to assist if a difficulty was to arise at sea.



They are a step up from the everyday high street assistant who, while also providing an important service, is unlikely to ever need to help you into a lifeboat in the churning surf..