SUCCESS AND FAILURE

"She knows there's no success like failure and failure's no success at all," sang Bob Dylan in one of his early songs (Love Minus Zero, I think). I am not sure what he meant but I have been thinking of success and failure recently. We had a meeting recently and discussed ratings (see previous post) and I said that, when I qualified as a guide and got my blue badge I thought; "Thank God, I will never have to take another test or exam again in my life." Then I started tour directing and found myself being tested every day and by each passenger, who had no interest in my qualifications only in my personality and how I could make their holiday better.
Fair enough, except that in the constant search for that elusive perfection I realise it is the failures that you remember far more vividly and forlonger than the successes. Fortunately the successes far outnumber the failures - as they should do, most people aiming to enjoy their trip - but the person who did not like you, who felt you were unhelpful, lacked sympathy, whatever, is the one who stays in the mind long after the people who were delighted have faded from memory.
Having said that I am glad to have a throroughly pleasant crowd for the theatre week in London and enjoyed going on a walking tour with their leader today, who knew more about London than most locals and who added some interesting anecdotes. However, managed to leave one behind last night when doing the post-theatre pick-ups and that will be the abiding memory. Failure again. One day I will runt he perfect tour - and then retire...