The Value of a Personal Referral

When Sheldon and I recently arrived in France, we found our way through the multiple terminals and shuttles at the CDG Paris airport with little difficulty. When we got to the train station though we were a bit confused with the ticket machines and access to the trains since it was different than when we'd been there before. A very friendly Frenchman, who spoke impeccable English noticed our struggles and offered assistance - we followed him through the crowds to the correct train.

We ended up spending the whole 45 minute ride into Paris chatting with Erwan. As it turns out he is a journalist for a French newspaper, and writes mostly about economics. I'm sure you can imagine where the conversation turned, and we discussed real estate, oil, the credit crisis, elections, health care, transportation - comparing the French systems with the Canadian and American ones. One thing about traveling - you learn just as much if not more, from the people you meet than from what you see.

Anyway, back to my point.... Erwan gave us some recommendations for things to do and see in Paris, in particular a favourite restaurant. He said to make sure we ask for the owner Laurent when we arrived, and to tell him that Erwan sent us. Of course, we were very excited to have a personal recommendation, and moved dinner at Cafe Tournon to the top of our list of things to do. As the week went on, and the Parisian lifestyle took over, we put off the dinner and became pre-occupied by other things. We considered going a couple of times here and there, but the little cafe kept getting trumped by amazing sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Luxembourg Gardens.

Finally on our last night, I said to Sheldon, we have to go - we can't just pass up what could be our best meal in Paris. So off we went, wandering the streets of the Latin Quarter, map in hand, looking for Cafe Tournon.

As we walked I couldn't help but think how this situation relates to any personal referral - when someone recommends a hotel, a dentist, a book, a movie, perhaps a Realtor, whatever - initially you are excited and certain to try it out, and then other things cloud your mind, whether it be ads or just your daily life. And next thing you know you're going to the first hotel, movie, dentist or whatever that crosses your path, only to wish when you leave that you'd taken your friend's referral.

When we arrived at the restaurant there were a number of articles and reviews in the window, including one written by Erwan - when we mentioned his name the staff smiled as though we were all friends and we definitely got special treatment. As it turns out, the meal we had was fantastic. The wine was terrific and my Duck Confit was to die for - Sheldon would argue his braised Lamb was better but I beg to differ. All in all in made for an unforgettable night in Paris.

These days people are more likely to spread the word about a bad experience, than a good one. Also, when the recommendation comes with a "tell them I sent you" you're likely to get even better service than someone just walking off the street. So my advice is, when you do get a recommendation, especially one that is spontaneous or one you didn't ask for....Take it!