If you’ve ever felt a bit lonely at your desk, perhaps you should move to Holland.
Jumbo, a major Dutch supermarket chain, has introduced the Kletskassa, or ‘chat checkout’ – a special lane for customers who aren’t in a rush and could use a friendly conversation with the cashier.
The company has recognized that isolation is a serious issue in our fast-paced,
automated lives and, while the chat checkout is targeted mainly at seniors, I’ll bet there are some much younger independent travel advisors who could use a little company at times too.
It’s all so easy to fall into a routine: grab coffee, park yourself at your desk, and before you know it, it’s lunchtime (ok, let’s call it noon if you’ve no time for lunch). Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime help us stay in touch, in real time, with clients, suppliers and colleagues.
But I think we’ve all learned, post lockdown, that there’s nothing like actual face-to-face contact with our fellow humans.
One way to combat isolation is by expanding your circle of friends and contacts. Apart from travel, what do you love to do? Join, or even initiate, a book club, social club or exercise club (walking, yoga, pickleball), which can provide fresh air and a change of scenery. And you might possibly even pick up a new client or two.
Consider getting involved in your community by volunteering, perhaps at a food bank, library or on the parks committee. Commitments like these not only give you a probably much-needed break, but chances are they give shape to your week (pickleball being every Thursday morning, say). They may even make you more efficient once you are back at your desk.
Back in Holland, Jumbo’s CCO notes that the Kletskassa are a small gesture, but
maybe a valuable one, particularly in a world that is becoming faster and more digital.
And you don’t have to be a senior to appreciate the value of slowing down and
savouring real human connections.
Joelle Goldman is the Vice President of Host Services & Luxury Hotel Programs for Direct Travel in North America. She can be reached at jgoldman@dt.com.
