Swear words flow a bit too often on Danish ferries. Therefore, shipping companies and employee organizations are now joining forces in a campaign aimed at encouraging passengers and ferry crews to speak politely to each other.
“Fool!” “Idiot!” “Loser!” “Just do your job!”
This is how it sometimes sounds on Danish ferries when stressed passengers and crews exchange verbal blows.
Such exchanges should ideally become fewer in the future. That is why a number of Danish shipping companies and labor unions are now collaborating on a campaign with the goal of encouraging passengers and crews to speak politely to each other. The campaign is called “Speak Nicely – We’re All in the Same Boat.”
“We are part of the campaign because it means an incredible amount to us that our passengers have a good travel experience, but it also matters that our employees go home happy from work. By speaking politely to each other, we’ve come a long way with both,” explains Henrik Schlotfeldt, director of ÆrøXpressen.
The campaign “Speak Nicely – We’re All in the Same Boat” will be visible onboard the ferries, and passengers and crew will also encounter the campaign’s messages online and around the terminals.
“We believe that good service starts with mutual understanding. When both customers and employees meet each other with kindness, it creates a better experience for everyone,” says Henrik Renneberg, traffic director of Samsø Rederi.
The timing of the campaign rollout is far from coincidental. The campaign is being launched just before summer—a period when there are often more people on the country’s ferries than usual and when harsh tones frequently escalate in busy and stressful situations.
“We hope the campaign can help ensure that there is always a good travel experience for both passengers and staff. What’s important is that we all have a good experience on the crossing with the Læsø ferry,” states Kurt Bennetsen, municipal director of Læsø.
The following partners are involved in the “Speak Nicely” campaign: Metal Maritime, 3F Private, Service, Hotel and Restaurant, 3F Transport, 3F Seafarers, HK Private, Maritime Leaders, Læsøfærgen, Samsø Rederi, Ærøfærgerne, ÆrøXpressen, Sea Health & Welfare, and Molslinjen.
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