Memoirs of an Ice-Cream Lady (Part 9)
By Emily Ho
Editor’s Note: The author runs an ice-cream parlor on Hong Kong’s Lamma Island. When time allows, she draws caricatures and writes. The following are semi-autobiographical anecdotes blending fact and fiction.
Top Advisors
Once Emily started her ice-cream shop, many local folks came to see her as top advisors. But few of them had run enterprises before, let alone in the ice-cream business. Some even didn’t eat ice cream.
Much of the advice sounded good, but impractical. One person recommended (actually, more like “demanded”) keeping the shop’s ice-cream redemption cards on-site instead of issuing them to customers. Emily turned down that notion, saying the shop lacked enough space. Really, it was an ownership issue too. The cards given to customers belonged to them.
Some “advisors” even suggested that Emily sell the popular “curry fish balls on sticks”. Startled by this suggestion, she decided that despite potential profits it wasn’t her way to sell products incompatible with her business. At least three stalls on Lamma already sold fish balls, and Emily saw no need to join them. Often Chinese shopkeepers copy anyone they see earning money until no one can profit.
Emily didn’t reject everything. Some folks urged her to sell popcorn and hot dogs, which sounded like good ideas. After all, she needed something hot as winter approached.
Helpful customers told Emily they’d definitely buy if she sold such items. So she decided it was worth a try.
Faith Shaken
Inspired, Emily hurried to buy popcorn- and hot-dog-making machines before winter arrived. She spent a fortune because commercial equipment costs much more than domestic devices do.
In fact, Emily had invested most of her savings to open the business which made her very cautious about spending every cent. Like a si-lai (Cantonese for “low-income housewife”), she often compared prices among suppliers. What a frustrating experience!
When ready to launch the new products, Emily cheerfully greeted customers outside her shop. However, few showed interest. Although Hong Kong never really turns cold, Emily had hoped to secure extra income in the cooler weather.
Soon several of Emily’s “top advisors” strolled past without even looking at the products they’d suggested. Nor did they say “hello”, almost as if they didn’t see Emily at all.
‘Please, M’dam, May I Have More?’
When did ice-cream customers start the habit of asking for more with each scoop? People never demand more in fast-food shops or restaurants. Yet they’ll request “more please” in ice-cream parlors.
Once when two Lamma guys visited Emily’s Ice Cream Parlor, one half-jokingly asked Emily for more ice cream. Frustrated by low sales previously, she answered half-seriously: “If you told me one reason why you deserve more ice cream than other customers, then I’d consider it.”
Surprised, the talkative man turned to his companion, apparently at a loss for words. His friend appeared amused.
Failing to give a reason, the customer received just a regular scoopful.
Coming soon:
One Shop Spawns Unlimited Duties
(more Memoirs of an Ice-Cream Lady)
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