Special treatment for VIPs?

gzlaser

VIP (very important person) treatment is a common practice in the service sector. By paying higher fees, VIP customers can usually enjoy better and faster service. But does the title of VIP imply privilege over other customers?

A man in Fujian recently sued a local bank for allowing a VIP customer to cut in the queue in front of him and other non-VIP customers. The bank has an internal regulation legitimating such practice, but the man said the bank has no right to prioritize the need of VIP customers at the expense of other customers' time. He points out that the bank's regulation discriminates against non-VIP customers and violates their dignity.

The news elicited many comments online. Though the court hasn't reached a verdict yet, many people applaud the man's decision to challenge the inequality. They complain that many VIP services actually encourage a sense of privilege in rich people. If taken to extremes, they may disturb social order. Others, however, argue that the policy's fair because VIP customers bring more profit to businesses.

So what do you think? Should service providers treat VIP customers better than ordinary customers?

schubert

Of course not! One headmaster of an Italian university once told me that this phenomenon was so strange. At that time, he queued with other students in the school canteen. Everyone is equal, especially in service industries, but VIP services encourage a sense of privilege in powerful people.