Victoria Secret is not really secret, but the Ritz-Carlton Seoul hotel, which I stayed during my recent trip to Korea, does have secret.

After the long flight from San Francisco, I arrived at Incheon. Another hour of limo, I was in Gangnam business district of Seoul. As soon as I stepped into the 5-star hotel, a gentleman greeted me: "Good evening! Mr. Liu?" When I was expecting something like "…, Check in?" Dale Carnegie once said: "A person's name is the most beautiful sound in the world to them.” And I heard that sound at the farthest place away from home. Skipping the front desk, with a folder in his hand, the same staff even led me directly into my room, which, to my pleasant surprise, was a suite. They upgraded for me with fruits on coffee table, and greeting card from general manager.

During the next couple days, whenever I made phone call to the front desk, or talked with various staff, I always got greeted with my name. One day, I consulted with a lady in Concierge about trip to JeJu Island, she patiently explained to me the attractions and said that she would print some reading material and send to my room. She then asked me my room number. I answered. She immediately said: "Oh, Mr. Liu?" Looking at her puzzled,
I asked: "How can you guys and girls remember guest's name?" She smiled like a flower:
"It is a secret of the Ritz-Carlton!" She then mentioned that I made reservation through America Express "Luxury Hotel and Resort" program. That might had something to do with it. Regardless, it is a nice secret many wish to have.

Effects of secrets are more powerful than secrets themselves, as illustrated by magicians. I may never find many secrets, but I do enjoy magician shows and my stay in Seoul.