LINKS, CHAINS, AND PAINS...

The attitude of some people often astounds me, and the

following story is a perfect  example of  just what I'm talking

about.  Almost ten years back, I worked in a watch repair shop.

At one time, after I'd left their employ, myself and a friend were

in negotiations to buy the business, but eventually pulled out of

the deal as the incompetent owners couldn't get their act to-

gether ('though I'll bet that's not what they told the per-

son they eventually sold it to).  But I digress.

One day, a women I knew came into the shop looking

to have links removed from a chain bracelet of some kind.

The standard charge for this particular procedure was £7.99,

but because she was a member of a church I'd once attended

when younger, after I'd completed the task, I smiled  at her

and said "Just give me two quid."

 The manageress was in that day observing proceed-
ings, so I was quite prepared to make up the £6 discount
out of my own pocket simply to do the woman a good turn.
She looked taken aback, and grudgingly started to reach for
her purse.  Noticing her scowl, I asked "What's up, Margaret,
you don't look too happy."  "I think you've got a cheek asking
for that" she responded.  It was my turn to be taken aback.
"Well, considering the fact I'm letting you off with nearly
 six quid, I don't understand your attitude.  Remember,
 we're running a business here, not a charity!" 

Anyway, she paid up and left, but the experience left

a bad taste in my mouth.  Had she expected me to do it for

nothing merely because we were acquainted? If I'd worked in
Asda, would she have expected  me to wave her through the
checkout with a box of biscuits without charging her?  Who
goes into a shop looking for goods or services without ex-
pecting to pay?  I'm still staggered by her attitude.

No doubt when relating her version of events to her

friends, I'd have been painted as the bad guy.  It brings to

mind the old saying - "No good deed goes unpunished."

Too true, mate - too bleedin' true.   

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