It’s Not All About You!

Whew, it’s not over till it’s over! Years ago, you could set your watch or calendar to it - the occurrence was always just after Easter Sunday, then it seemed to happen after Mother’s Day. It was most definitely always over by Memorial Day, but last year it was not noticeable until Dragon Fly Summer (June-July?) No, I’m not talking about the next Rolling Stones concert; I’m talking about the “Mass Exodus” aka “End of Season.”

I have seen a few car carriers lately (now wait a minute - is he picking cars up or dropping more off?) None of the barometers I have used in the past work anymore since the post Covid -19 era. You could certainly tell by the traffic situation or actually getting a reservation at your favorite restaurant before 9:00 PM unless you are lucky enough to find two seats together at the bar. Not standing during service at your house of worship was a sure sign or having a service company actually show up in a timely fashion instead of hearing they are out straight until June is another way of knowing the end is near.

It wasn’t just the unavoidable inconveniences caused by island congestion; it was the meanness and rudeness my staff and I were subjected to. It was more than noticeable to many of my island and Naples business associates. And not by any means a small percentage. I try not to take it personally but those of you who know me know I can take only so much. Then I don’t put up with it or turn the other cheek so to say, “Oh but Rich, the customer is always right!”  Not when they are rude and out of line, they are not right! My tactic begins with politely saying someone will be with you when they are free. If that does not work, we completely ignore the perpetrator hoping he or she will get the hint and go away. If the “all about me person” continues to disrupt or resorts to downright uncivilized rudeness, I will drop everything I was doing at the time and escort them by the elbow to whence they came…the front door and the parking lot. 

My staff does not have that prerogative. So many times, on any given day, if I’m out of earshot they have to endure a cretin or two. Only I have the power to banish the unruly. It’s not fair to the patiently waiting customers to be subject to the needless drama of embarrassing the “Me Person” as he or she departs, hopefully to never to cast their discourteous shadow on my premises again! It’s good to be the boss! 

Then they can then sit in their car, Yelp away and complain about me on all social media platforms until their fingers bleed on the keyboard. I could care less. I’m sixty-eight years old and close to retirement. I’m sorry for those I may have outraged here; there is no excuse in my jewelry store to not be nice. My staff is the salt of the earth and nicest folks you will ever meet and have been with me for decades. Now me personally, I may be taken with a grain of salt; just like my sign plainly says…Be Nice or Leave! Some folks have taken offense to it - I don’t understand why. Just be nice and everything becomes a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone, which includes a happy me, especially if you purchase something.

A little courtesy won’t kill you.

Richard Alan is a designer/goldsmith and owner of the Harbor Goldsmith, Marco and Naples go-to jeweler since 1994, and celebrating 25 years serving his clientele on the island. He welcomes your questions and comments about All That Glitters. www.harborgoldsmith.com.