It never hurts to ask!

Ernesto has learned that it truly never hurts to ask. The worse they can say is "no." So why not try. Here are some examples:

• Upgrades to First Class: In the days before electronic ticketing, I would often go the ticket agent at the airlines are say: "If it would be helpful to you, I would be happy to be moved up to the First Class cabin." People think it is funny, but I actually meant it, because sometimes is really is helpful to offer. This worked about 50% of the time.
• Asking for a Refund: After a church retreat, I took some friends to a nice French restaurant we had recently discovered. We had had a nice dinner when two men wearing ski masks came in with guns drawn. We all gathered under the tables. Seconds after the robbers left, most of the people left the place. We stayed, I suppose, because we thought we should. It occurred to me that I was the only one in that restauant that had paid! I asked the manager if the robbers took the credit card receipts. He said "no." I asked if I could have a refund. He said, "no."
• A Real Upgrade: On flight to Pisa, Italy (before the days of 9/11), I asked the flight attendent if I might be able to go into the cock-pit. She said that she would check. She returned and said the pilot had okayed it. Once up in the cock-pit they let me stay all through the rest of the flight. Great landing!
• The Disney Organ: Our Conmadre Julia is a church musician. One day at the church, I bumped into the gentleman who does the tuning on our organ - he also built the famous organ at Disney Hall. I put two and two together and asked if my friend could stop by and play the organ at Disney Hall. He said yes! It was the best Christmas present that I think I have ever given.
• A Visit with a Hollywood Star: Our family went to Los Angeles to see a musical. Once we sat down, my daughter, Elizabeth, became very excited because one of her favorite TV stars was in the play. She asked me to see what I could do for her to see him. I asked one of the ushers if it was possible to meet the young star and he said, "Just go out that door after the show and tell the guard that you would like to see him." We did just that. Elizabeth got a hug and a kiss and still has the picture up as a screensaver.