Courtesy

I’m a SUPER optimist. I solve problems or at least try to find a way to process and improve them.

However – I’m starting to believe that common courtesy is becoming less common…

The point of all of this is: If you make an appointment with someone, KEEP IT.

My husband and I own and operate a small business with two other full-time employees. We started this business from scratch straight out of college. Short of the couple of years I taught high school physical science/ physics classes and while I was on maternity, we’ve worked together in the office full-time.

As is frequently the case, one of us has to go somewhere to pick up or deliver parts, machinery, or trips for the deposit. We have to physically leave the office. This puts all the office responsibilities in the lap of the other person. Today, it’s my lap.

I have a list of people that are scheduled to come by, a list of phone calls to return, am manning the phone, and updating the advertising and web.

Here’s the rub. When you make an appointment to meet someone, usually you try to show up early or be prompt. 10 minutes can still an acceptable grace period if you can’t be exactly on time or early as long as it isn’t a medical appointment and you’ve called to say you are running late. When it’s over the noon hour, aka lunch, the courteous thing to do is to call if you aren’t going to make it near your appointment time.

I’ve been working on various odd jobs around my desk for 1 1/4hrs now thinking how delicious my lunch will be- the salad that I accidentally left at home and plan to get as soon as I’m done with this customer. It only takes 10 minutes to get home, unlock the house, grab the food, and be back.

However, wouldn’t it be rude if I wasn’t here in the office when that customer shows up?

So I wait.

In this current world where everyone wants everything NOW, at this very moment, would it hurt to show a little courtesy when they are going to delay others?

Let’s treat others how we’d like to be treated. Make that courtesy phone call if you are running behind. Remember, small business owners like to eat lunch too.   🙂