The Astoria Stigma

Our good friend Joyce, who was among the Latin honor graduates of our batch, came to visit the Philippines recently. She is now based in Australia, and currently has a quite established career in hotel management. She invited us over for dinner at Astoria Hotel in Pasig City. She wanted to see us, her college friends, before flying back to Down Under.

My kids’ godparents were present in our group date – Ken, Golda, Elmi, and Jeifan. Soon, my book worm friend, Julie, shall also become a godmother to my youngest girl, Deirdre. I’m happy to somehow realize that our affinity as friends has become deeper because they are godparents to my kids.

UP Gang

Joyce. She’s among the kindest persons I know who never had an air in her head. Sometimes I ask myself, why is it that most of the time, those people who have the bragging rights are the ones who are humble? In terms of personality, Joyce is definitely my girl crush.

Now here goes my Astoria story. They have this popular marketing strategy that seems to work (?)

When Golda, Elmi and I arrived at Astoria, we have seen Julie and Ken waiting for us at the lobby. We wondered ‘why’ because they could simply proceed to the dining hall and enjoy the buffet. Apparently, they were apprehensive to get in, for they were asked if they are aware of the 90 minute presentation that they needed to attend to once they finished eating. THEY WERE AWARE.

Like them, I have also experienced that irking sales technique by Astoria.

Few years back when my kids’ grandfather was still alive, we dined in a fancy buffet somewhere in Quezon City. We were requested to fill out raffle stubs that asked for our contact details. A few weeks later, I was texted by a marketing representative of Astoria that I won a free buffet treat at Plaza Ibarra. There was a condition though: I need to listen to a 90-minute presentation, to which I have naively agreed. I informed my partner then to save the date.

My most awaited day came. I was a little dissatisfied that we were only served a platter of food. The experience was like ordering a fancy meal in a fast food because I expected buffet. After filling our tummies, an Astoria’s sales rep invited us over to start the “presentation.” The experience was traumatic. The sales rep had been forcing us to buy a hotel membership card that he said would be billed in my credit card every month. I said no because hotel membership is not a necessity but rather, a luxury that we could forego. The sales rep was prepared with a lot of rebuttals.

Because of our adamant “no,” we were able to elude the seller. In fairness with the salesman, he was well-versed and well-trained. Good thing I have sales background too that’s why I have successfully avoided the unnecessary purchase that he was forcing me to get into. I hated his “insult tactic” by the way – he seemed to be very pleased at first to know about our “progressive career” but when we started refusing his offer, he started saying, “Oh I thought you were like this, and like that.” Sick man.

That was my distressing Astoria experience. And I bet my friends had somewhat the same, hence, the stigma.