99% of my customers are GREAT. So anytime that I come on here and rant about one, just remember, I'm talking a precious few.
They do seem to come in bunches, though.
Today, a lady brought in a small piece for a yardage estimate. Just as I was telling her to get 3 yards, my dog "George" started yelping loudly in obvious pain.
I told her that I was going to have to rush the dog to the vet. With me standing at the front door, ready to lock it, she absolutely stood her ground. She refused to leave, saying "Wait a minute. Can't you write that down?" She went on to say that she had come a long way, and needed a yardage estimate written down so she can remember it.
I must admit that I snapped at her "My God! You mean you can't remember a simple number like 3?"
I guess I won't be getting that job.
OK, that's 2 knucklehead customers in 2 days. That should be my quota for the year.
It turned out that George has a bulging disk in his neck. The vet gave him some pain meds.
Sorry to hear that George was suffering. Hope he's doing better now. Get well soon George!
The customer likely would have turned out to be difficult. Good riddance to her anyway.
Whenever I hear about animals not doing well they really do need be the priority.
They cant' tell us what's wrong with them and they give us humans so much, and ask for so little in return, that when they do ask, like when yelping in pain, that it's best to act quickly... Even at the risk of losing a customer.
Our shop cat, Jack, got into a fight with a raccoon recently and folks in the neighboring shops all chipped in to help pay the vet bill.
Seems Jack is not just our shop cat but many places "Shop Cat" too. ...and he keeps the bugs away!
Seems he's still working on the raccoons! :P
Jim
If all upholsterers' were honest, and all other trades people were honest, and if that was every customers' experience, i.e., honest people, then that lady probably would have trusted that you would say "3 yards" tomorrow.
An upholsterer died a few years ago now. I got one of his customers. She was upset that his death interfered with her getting some chairs finished for a party she was having. Hey, it wasn't her fault that the guy died. So why did she have to deal with the inconvenience of it happening?
Animals, as in pets, mine or yours, are windows to peoples' souls. If a person couldn't care less that an animal, a pet, is suffering, he or she beats their kids and would have no problem stepping over, or on, a homeless person in order to be first in line to use their "buy one get one free" coupon for boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. These people will not go to hell. Satan won't have them. They are too revolting even for her.
There's the 80/20 rule. 80% of our time is spent with customers who provide us with 20% of our income. I find this to be somewhat true.
gene
Yeah sofadoc. next time I get a PITA customer heres what I'm going to say. "Sorry I can't help you but I know this guy in Texas that will set you right up."
I can just hear her telling the next upholsterer, he was so rude, he wouldn't even give me a written estimate :'(
Hope your dogs OK. We had a 5 year old Schnauzer who blew out a vertebrae in his neck. Took him to UF vet collage and they operated on it. Made it good as new. He lived another 9 years.
Quote from: kodydog on November 04, 2011, 06:54:25 am
Hope your dogs OK. We had a 5 year old Schnauzer who blew out a vertebrae in his neck. Took him to UF vet collage and they operated on it. Made it good as new. He lived another 9 years.
The vet did say that if the problem becomes chronic, then "decisions" would have to be made.
George is already about 70 human years old. I know that if I needed an expensive surgery right now, my wife would have a tough time deciding whether to spend the money, or just have me "put down" ;D
Get well soon George
Quote from: gene on November 04, 2011, 05:54:17 am
If a person couldn't care less that an animal, a pet, is suffering, he or she beats their kids
Speaking of beating your kids, I guess by now, everyone has seen the "Judge Adams beats daughter" video on youtube.
I never found it necessary to give my daughters more than a firm pat on the rear. But I've seen some other kids that I thought "could use a GOOD lickin".
But how does a parent/child relationship degenerate to the point of the one in the video?
That video is really disgusting. And sad.
Bad parenting - in the early years, I believe. If you wait till they're 13, you're waaaaay too late. My daughter never gave me a minute's trouble through her teens and I never had to lay a hand on her. Now mind you, I can bellow like someone with lungs twice my size and scared the crap out of her on a few occasions. As they say, you "pick your fights". Funny, she's now 26 and just a few months ago revealed to me that in high school among her friends, I was the "cool Mom". Yet I never gave her an inch as far as drugs, drinking, driving, going to wild parties or concerts, or anything else that could have resulted in long-term problems.
As for the crazy customers, I just give them totally outrageous quotes or impossibly long lead times. They usually just go away. I have enough aggravation with rusted out/frozen nuts on boat seats. I don't need more from the owners.
June
QuoteSpeaking of beating your kids, I guess by now, everyone has seen the "Judge Adams beats daughter" video on youtube.
I never found it necessary to give my daughters more than a firm pat on the rear. But I've seen some other kids that I thought "could use a GOOD lickin".
But how does a parent/child relationship degenerate to the point of the one in the video?
I think it is important to discipline your kids before you lose your temper, if at all possible. It is unfortunate for the Judge that the video only shows a small snap shot of the whole situation. I learned as a child if I just bent over and took my punishment it was not so bad, but if I did like this girl did, continued to disobey and divert any attempt to get a spanking, yea it got worse. My oldest son was very defiant as a child, I started out disciplining him with spankings, he would just stand there and give me a cold stair, not even flinch. I said to my wife, "ok this is not going to work with this one." and we started using time out. He finally said "can I just get a spanking and get it over with?" I thought hallelujah this is going to work and told him "no, you can just sit there and think about what you did and why it was wrong." My youngest son was so gentle and easy going I hardly ever had to discipline him. Funny thing is as they got older my youngest has given me more worry and trouble than my oldest.
He must be a "hangin judge".
Bingo, June. Low expectations for proper behavior and an unwillingness to "go to the mat" when boundries are overstepped and firm discipline is required. Setting the boundries and teaching by example set parents up to "win" when the going gets tough (and it will!). And that begins when children are young and is reinforced throughout their time at home, and even after.
I never thought my parents were particularly "strict", but they actually were. I was not permitted to be sullen or rude to adults, I was required to help around the house, and when I stepped out of line I was called on it. But as soon as it was over, they dropped it and never wasted time "holding a grudge". My friends all liked my parents because they were funny and there was no question about where they stood when it came to polite and proper behavior.
I have only one recollection of a spanking and it was a goodie, lol. I can only imagine how rotten I must've been to push Mum enough to do it. But she didn't miss a beat; I received two warnings and that was is it ("baseball rules" were the norm). I don't think I probably ever acted out that way again. ::)
(I don't really trust people who don't have time for animals. Is George better now?)
Quote from: mike802 on November 04, 2011, 03:38:32 pm
I learned as a child if I just bent over and took my punishment it was not so bad, but if I did like this girl did, continued to disobey and divert any attempt to get a spanking, yea it got worse.
In this particular situation, I find it hard to believe that that things would've gone easier on her if she had just bent over and took it. Trying to avoid being struck repeatedly with a belt is more of a natural reflex than disobedience.
And I don't recall ever having to shout "I'm going to beat you into f___ing submission !" while wailing away at my children with a belt.
Quote from: mike802 on November 04, 2011, 03:38:32 pm
I think it is important to discipline your kids before you lose your temper, if at all possible.
Exactly. But administering physical punishment while maintaining calmness is difficult for most, impossible for some. If you can't do it, you should choose some other form of discipline.
George is doing fine. The vet was optimistic that he won't have any more episodes any time soon.
Quote from: sofadoc on November 04, 2011, 04:04:57 pm
In this particular situation, I find it hard to believe that that things would've gone easier on her if she had just bent over and took it. Trying to avoid being struck repeatedly with a belt is more of a natural reflex than disobedience.
And I don't recall ever having to shout "I'm going to beat you into f___ing submission !" while wailing away at my children with a belt.
George is doing fine. The vet was optimistic that he won't have any more episodes any time soon.
I agree, Sofa. He was out of control in a rage and she was defending herself in the only way she knew how. I couldn't watch the whole video. He was not "checking" his swing at all. What's so sad is that this girl and her dad missed out on such a terrific opportunity to have a wonderful parent/child relationship. One of the things I will value above all else when I breathe my last breath is the relationship I had with my Dad. It was so very rewarding for me as I'm sure it was for him.
Happy to hear George is doing better.
June
QuoteIn this particular situation, I find it hard to believe that that things would've gone easier on her if she had just bent over and took it. Trying to avoid being struck repeatedly with a belt is more of a natural reflex than disobedience.
And I don't recall ever having to shout "I'm going to beat you into f___ing submission !" while wailing away at my children with a belt.
Don't really know, but I would like to think so. Administrating punishment before one loses his or her temper helps keep the lips from running. Verbal and emotional abuse can be just if not more scaring than physical abuse. Unfortunately some people talk like that during normal conversation, I have a neighbor who cant say one sentence without stringing several four letter words together.
QuoteExactly. But administering physical punishment while maintaining calmness is difficult for most, impossible for some. If you can't do it, you should choose some other form of discipline.
I never had trouble with it, but I am slow to anger. If I was ever to angry, I would walk away and cool down first. I think if you cant do it you shouldn't be a parent, but by the time you figure that out it's to late. Maybe some anger management classes would help. Does anyone know how this video got posted on line? Did the daughter do it? It looks like it happened seven years ago, was this thing lurking out there and all the sudden got noticed, or was it posted recently?
The trouble with being parents is you start out totally inexperienced, you probably won't make the same mistakes your parents did, but instead will make enough of your own. Hopefully your parents made more good parenting decisions than bad ones and you have a good back ground to draw from. When my boys were growing up, kids were coming up missing left and right, not a day went by that you didn't hear about someones child being abducted. My wife was frantic, she just knew ours would disappear, needless to say we kept a close watch and a short leash. My son's would say we were strict, but we didn't think so, but other kids were able to come and go as they pleased, without so much as telling their parents were they were, we thought this was so neglectful. But all our kids buddies were doing it, so we looked like the heavies.
QuoteWhat's so sad is that this girl and her dad missed out on such a terrific opportunity to have a wonderful parent/child relationship.
You are so right June, but it takes a kid willing and wanting to have that relationship and a parent also. They say that children who are not emotionally bonded with their parents at a young age can never bond. I don't know it that is true, but my mother has taken in foster kids and I can say they defiantly have some deep seated issues, maybe it's true. Sad thing is all children should be loved by adoring parents who will remember that wonderful day when they first came into this world and touched their hearts. Something to dream and pray for I guess. Maybe this video will make some remember.
Quote from: mike802 on November 04, 2011, 08:00:13 pm
Does anyone know how this video got posted on line? Did the daughter do it? It looks like it happened seven years ago, was this thing lurking out there and all the sudden got noticed, or was it posted recently?
The daughter is now 22. She never posted the video until now. She said that he continues to harass her. His version is that she's been holding the video over his head all this time for monetary gains. I've heard theories that the statute of limitations has run out, so she can no longer file charges. So now he has cut her off. Hence, ergo.....the video.
Like father, like daughter? Maybe.
My youngest daughter is 21. She works at an office 2 blocks away from my shop. She comes over for lunch every day. We talk, we laugh. We take turns explaining "The Argyle Sweater" to each other.
Some days I "get" it, some days she "gets" it.
My 24 year old daughter comes over every evening for supper, and tells us about her day.
I guess they both have one thing in common, they both know where to get a free meal :D
QuoteThe daughter is now 22. She never posted the video until now. She said that he continues to harass her. His version is that she's been holding the video over his head all this time for monetary gains. I've heard theories that the statute of limitations has run out, so she can no longer file charges. So now he has cut her off. Hence, ergo.....the video.
Like father, like daughter? Maybe.
Oh man talk about some dysfunctional family dynamics. Inter generational family blackmail, must be some interesting thanksgiving diners at that household. I guise she learned some sick family values, just goes to show you never really now whats going on next door.
Looks like our kids are the same age, my oldest just graduated from college last spring. He is still living at home and is going to Alabama in a few weeks to help a friend move back to Vermont. He is kind of obligated because this friend has been storing an old bus of his, this friend also has an old bus, so they have to get two old buses back to Vermont, and be moved back home by the first of the year. He has assured me once he has this tied up he will start looking for a job. We both share a lot of quality time together working on different projects, mostly automotive related.
My youngest son works with mentally handicapped people, he is still at home also and would love to get his own place. He is frustrated right now because even working 50 hours a week he just cant quite swing it. He is totally opposite my oldest and is not interested in mechanical projects. He is a real people person, very nice to talk with and be around, many of his older woman coworkers bring their daughters to work to meet him. LOL I don't think he "gets it".
I used to play competitive racquetball. I wore prescription rec/specs - those eye guards with an elastic band to keep them on your face, only these had prescription lens in them.
As my kids were growing up, I would tell them that if they misbehaved, their dad would wear his rec/specs in public when he was with them.
Today my kids are two of the nicest and most wonderful people you will ever meet.
gene
Quote from: gene on November 05, 2011, 05:49:41 am
As my kids were growing up, I would tell them that if they misbehaved, their dad would wear his rec/specs in public when he was with them.
My wife and I used to "threaten" our kids by telling them that we'll get up and start dancing in front of their friends.
I think if they had been given the option, they would've taken the belt. ;)
I raised a boy and a girl. I was never a physical type of Dad but rather a father who knew how to get his kids attention.
After my son slammed his bedroom door one to many times I removed the door and put it in the basement for a month. No privacy for a teen is torture. He never slammed his door again. :)
My daughter didn't clean her room after being asked several times. Being a nice Dad I cleaned it for her. She came home from school to find nothing but a bed and dresser in her room. After that I simply had to ask her if she wanted to clean her room or if she wanted Dad to clean it.
Ever try waking a teen up for school after they were up late ? Two calls to wake up followed by a glass of ice cold water works great. 8)
I picked her up at a high school dance once. She was late coming out of the dance so whats a Dad to do ? I walked eight into the dance and out on the dance floor with a big smile and tapped her on the shoulder. That backfired on me though. Her girlfriends ( who I all knew ) came running out and grabbed me and got me dancing with all the kids. My daughter, horrified at me doing the Boog-A-Loo on the dance floor learned that when Dad says a certain time, he means it. ( I was known from that point on by the other kids as the Coolest Dad in town who could rock it on the dance floor. :)
I have many more stories I could relate. My kids to this day still love telling stories about being raised by me. They always start them with " Remember when Dad......." . They laugh these days over things I did but they were not laughing back then. :)
Chris
I love wilderness canoeing. I have no formal medical training but I have learned a lot over the years about what to do and how to do it with any emergency situation.
When my son was young, he was playing outside with a friend. His friend fell down and hurt his knee. I heard my son say, "Don't tell my dad. He'll poke at it!" LOL
gene
Doc; glad to hear George is okay. I've been half an hour reflecting on this post before responded ( an probably an hour re-typing all this LOL)
When I was 4-6 yrs old our border collie mix gave us a litter of pups, courtesy of a fence jumper. Shortly after that she went away [have to ask Dad about that tonight when I call---I can't remember how] and we kept George and found homes for the rest. He resembled a Chesapeake bay retriever.About the time he was house trained my great uncle kicked him off the stoop, so he spent his whole life with a slightly bum hip. When he got old Dad/Mom decided he should go to live with friends on a farm 2-3 miles out of town. I was in high school at the time; when one night in the middle of a major blizzard there came a bark on the door. You guessed it --- good old geriatric George.You'd have have to whip a husky to make that trip so we assumed he had come "home" to die.Nope; a warm mat in the mud room,nice visit,and bight to eat and he was ready to go home for another few years.
Chris; That kind of leadership either got you where got in the USMC or came from the responsibility you had there. Chicken-- or egg --?
Because I've never had the privilege of siring a child , people say I shouldn't talk about parenting. I've had to deal with alot of other peoples children including the currant step sons, girlfriends offspring, etc... and all I can say is MY PARENTS WERE/ARE AWESOME.They were the cool parents, they were progressive in that Sheila could change her own oil as easily as I could roast a chicken and trimmings dinner long before we graduated .As mentioned ; that early bond is key. My parents were my best friends. My step sons took years ,and years,and years to bond and accept the info I was trying to share (ie doing auto body repair) that their Dad couldn't teach them.Pretty quick to the money Mom and I had from my job/ short on "you need a kidney?"
QuoteI can bellow like someone with lungs twice my size and scared the crap out of her on a few occasions.
Mom was 5 foot 1 and broke hundred pounds carrying one of us children. I've seen grown men cower from her. When I instructed at the R.C.A battle school ; I had a AAA base ball pitcher (6' 2" 195 lbs) take offense to my inspection of his room one morning. He was shaking like a dog passing razor blades, his face was as red as a baboon's arse , and you knew he just wanted to dust it up a might with me.So I evicted his room,tossed my pace stick beret and tunic on the roommates bed and gave him a free go. He chose not to.It's not the size of the dog in the fight---------It's size of fight in the dog!