钱是越来越不经花了。
今年5月17日跟住在加州的朋友聊天，询问美国的通货膨胀情况，她告知加满一箱油从$80 变成了$110，苹果从最便宜的$0.79变成了$1.49/磅。
当然现在美国的通胀有缓解，但还是不时有消极的消息传来，比如沃尔玛这个月宣布裁员计划。
那欧洲的通胀呢？8月24日和欧洲的客户聊天，下面是他的回答：
Still higher than 10%. We will die soon...
不管谁死，客户不能死。我觉得这时除了嘴炮关怀，该做点什么了：
I get it bro, this time I’m more than just asking.
寒潮中，我传递了两个温暖，一个给欧洲，一个给美国。
欧洲的客户是小团体创业公司，资金实力弱，现在啥都贵，让他想死；送点日常用品可能不错，想到他们下个月要去参加展会，那不如送点参展用的短袖吧？
说干就干，自己简单设计了一下，上淘宝搜索一番确定商家；然后把设计给客户看，客户改动了一下背后的图案，26号下单，29号收到，10件短袖，400块钱搞定。
收到货后上身一看，这几十块的材料还不赖。不得不说，淘宝真卷。
（如果是非定制礼物，还是不要跟客户提前说不然惊喜就被扼杀了；由于是参展用的短袖，印有客户的logo和标语，这次选择让客户参与设计）
另一个美国客户，老板和买手都很实诚，去年圣诞给他们送了筋膜枪等礼物，客户责怪礼物太贵了，以后不要超过$20；今年顾着瞎忙也没给客户送什么礼物，这个月刷着领英正好看到客户的35周年庆典到了，这种场合就不能再送私人的礼物了，要大家都能享用的为上，比如小零食等。亚马逊上挑了挑，由于客户公司不喝酒，于是就定了三盒Ferrero巧克力寄过去。
客户收到后自然很高兴，以下一番寒暄客套，力求传递一点点温暖、拉近一点点距离：
客A：
We have been distributing these throughout the company to make sure that everyone is able to enjoy them. Everyone is very appreciative of your thoughtfulness!
For snacks, there is a mixture of favorites from our team but here are a few things on the list. Milk chocolate, mixed nuts, cheese and crackers, Kit Kat bars, Reese’s, Almondy Joy candy bars, apples and other fruits. （我还问了除了巧克力，他们公司还喜欢吃什么，客户一股脑儿给我列了一串
，我想这就是中美文化差异，中国人一般会说，客气啥不要送。老美直接点也挺好）
Thank you again for your thoughtfulness in celebrating our 35th anniversary!
我：
（舔...）
You and B's excellent cooperation, your always on-time payments, and your open mind to share situations in the US make XXX the TOP 1 client that I'd like to work with(though we also work with other large importers in the US), this is from bottom of my heart instead of flattery. （说不是拍马屁，但就是。诶，变油腻了）
Though sometimes you drive really hard on cost negotiation, it's a pain in the ass, however, with all these and the 2 years' smooth cooperation, we'd like to try to bring costs even lower on some projects to support and continue our relationship. （说这句是因为客户今年想找PLan-B供应商）
No matter what happened, we never want to lose a client like you, and we're also confident that my team is an asset to you so you shouldn't give up on us too even if sometimes we're a few cents more expensive. 
（钱要赚，礼要送；我们团队是宝贝你可不要轻易换）
客B：
We did receive the chocolates and they are delicious! We have shared them with V and others in the office. All are enjoying your generosity. Many thanks!
Chocolate of any kind are liked by all in our office!
Appreciate you.
我：
And you're very welcome, this is how we treat our VIP clients, not only because you place orders but the way you treat suppliers makes us comfortable and feel like we're a real team, so you deserve more attention and a little surprise from time to time. (Attention! little gifts are far away from bribing you, but just want to show our appreciation for your continuing trust and support) (送小礼物远不是为了贿赂，而是交个朋友）
如果只是忙于日常订单的操作，就会忽略客户的处境、心情，如果价格上还没那么“硬”，客户可能容易被挖走；把目光从具体订单上移开，关注下客户的境遇&近况，加上一点“软”关怀，特别是经济不好的时候，或许会让我们和常规的、纯卖货供应商有一点点区别。
分享一句话，影响你的不是事物本身，而是你看待事物的方式；今年我的体验是，开发新客户特别难，客户很谨慎，工作节奏慢了下来；不过这么个时候，去充充电、多关注下客户也不错，这或许就是经济放缓带来的好的一面吧。
p.s. 英文表达有误之处，感谢指正。
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