So a guy comes in around closing time, and proceeds to tell one of my employees what an asshole I am.
O.K. Fair enough.
He then proceeds to tell my employee that a competitor of mine from about 7 year ago had hoped to "put me out of business."
I can't tell you how many times I've heard that over the years.
Thing is, that response to me being an asshole, or rude, or not doing what they wanted, or not having the stuff they wanted, or being too high priced, or whatever -- is so disproportional to the crime.
All of those things are pretty small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.
By all means, don't shop with me. There are a couple of small businesses I've had run ins with here in town, but I've never mentioned their names here. I've never wished their demise. I just don't go there anymore. (Interesting, they seem to be going strong...)
Wishing me to "go out of business?" That could mean me going broke. Who knows? Losing my wife, my house, my mind, any number of dire circumstances Me not having play space for Magic? Oh, well. Right?
Wishing for someone to go out of business -- that's a harsh thing to wish on someone because I didn't have what you wanted at the price you wanted, or whatever.
Just saying.
The other thing is -- that expression seems to be an almost dead giveaway that the person wishing it has the wrong priorities. Worry about your own business. Worry about your overhead and your product costs and stuff like that. Don't be focusing on someone else's business.
Besides that, there is almost no reason that businesses can't co-exist. No reason, for instance, that you have to take a "Him" versus "Me" attitude, no reason to take sides.
I suppose this is an object lesson for me, when it comes to chainstores. While I might not have much sympathy for the business model, I certainly have for the employees -- even management, I suppose. Since I'm management.
Observing and wishing for are two different things, I suppose. I hope.
O.K. Fair enough.
He then proceeds to tell my employee that a competitor of mine from about 7 year ago had hoped to "put me out of business."
I can't tell you how many times I've heard that over the years.
Thing is, that response to me being an asshole, or rude, or not doing what they wanted, or not having the stuff they wanted, or being too high priced, or whatever -- is so disproportional to the crime.
All of those things are pretty small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.
By all means, don't shop with me. There are a couple of small businesses I've had run ins with here in town, but I've never mentioned their names here. I've never wished their demise. I just don't go there anymore. (Interesting, they seem to be going strong...)
Wishing me to "go out of business?" That could mean me going broke. Who knows? Losing my wife, my house, my mind, any number of dire circumstances Me not having play space for Magic? Oh, well. Right?
Wishing for someone to go out of business -- that's a harsh thing to wish on someone because I didn't have what you wanted at the price you wanted, or whatever.
Just saying.
The other thing is -- that expression seems to be an almost dead giveaway that the person wishing it has the wrong priorities. Worry about your own business. Worry about your overhead and your product costs and stuff like that. Don't be focusing on someone else's business.
Besides that, there is almost no reason that businesses can't co-exist. No reason, for instance, that you have to take a "Him" versus "Me" attitude, no reason to take sides.
I suppose this is an object lesson for me, when it comes to chainstores. While I might not have much sympathy for the business model, I certainly have for the employees -- even management, I suppose. Since I'm management.
Observing and wishing for are two different things, I suppose. I hope.