You Cannot Be Serious - The Decline of Decency In Business

I don't know about you, but I'm amazed that anything ever gets done in this world.

When I started out in business fifteen years ago, it seemed that people were a bit more concerned about honoring their word. But as time has progressed, business etiquette has slowly taken a back seat. In fact, decency seems to be evaporating by the minute.

Now I'm not pretending that I'm innocent in this matter. I honestly started out as a team player. I tried my best to be good and decent, but I allowed other people to influence me. With the passing of time, I eventually found myself slowly slipping into the same slimy inconsiderate hole.

Tell me, what's so difficult about returning a phone call? Did a truckload of people have major tongue surgery, preventing them from forming the sentence, "No, I'm not interested?" What's the deal with my emails going unanswered? They're not SPAM or emails that don't deserve an answer. And why would a person schedule a "next day" meeting forty-five miles from my office and not show up...or even call to apologize for missing it? It seems some people are fine with making promises they don't keep and inconveniencing others. After a while I stopped calling to inquire, "Hey there so and so. We had an appointment. Why didn't you show up." It's a question that's not worth asking.

At this point you may be thinking, "Maybe you just need to deal with people who are a little more professional." Now tell me, who should be more professional than doctors, lawyers, preachers or a high-powered marketing executive with the new AT&T? Can I get some "Amens" anybody?

If you're one of these people I'm writing about, practice picking up the phone...or have a representative from your office call...to just say "NO." It's really easy to do and it will save a lot of unnecessary frustration for others who are trying to hold on to their last bit of decency.

My other pet peeve: businesses that love to play the waiting game. They know they consistently "over schedule" appointments and leave people waiting for hours. Is it their ego? Do they believe their time is more important than mine?

My husband used to visit a dentist where he never had to wait more than five minutes to be seated in the examination chair. Unfortunately, this dentist retired and my husband had to start playing the waiting game. As John Stossel of 20/20 says, "ENOUGH!"

Ok, everyone...all together now...say it loud and clear ... "ENOUGH! I'm not taking it any more!" One more time...

Be honest for a minute. Didn't you feel a bit liberated from all the foolishness? And ladies...just out of curiosity ... when are you going to liberate yourselves from your hair salon?

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