Hi Everyone
Back in the 1980s part of my business involved installing UPVC windows in people's homes. At the beginning, we were one of only two companies in the market locally offering this service, but as with any new product we were quickly joined by new competition, some good and some decidedly dodgy. We had a good quality product backed by some good window fixers so we never resorted to cold calling, door knocking or pressure selling. On one occasion which occurred many times, I was invited to provide a quotation for replacement windows. I would visit their home, measure the doors and windows and while they made a cup of tea, I would work out a quotation. On this occasion, the price I quoted was about £2500. The customer was amazed as he had been quoted firstly £5500 and later £4500 by a 'super' salesman on a huge bonus who would occupy your Lounge settee for as long as it took to get an order. On this occasion, they trusted us with their order and they were very satisfied with the result. On other occasions, I would know that I had given a potential customer a competitive quote but I knew the super salesman would win their order, sometimes making ridiculous and untrue claims to pocket his bonus at their expense. I was reminded of this Rubbish when this week another dubious super salesman was elected as the next President of the US. The comparisons are striking, "we're gonna fix Ukraine and the Middle East", "we're gonna deport thousands", "we're gonna fix inflation", and the list goes on. I may have missed something but what I did not hear at any time was how. It is easy to understand why the people of the US have changed their government, as in many places across the world including here in the UK. All you have to do is ask the population if they are better off than they were five years ago. In almost every democracy the answer will be no, so off they go to the alternative. Whether that proves to be the right choice only time will tell, but at least we have the opportunity to make our own mistakes. In countries like Russia, North Korea, China and a number of others the only answer is yes.
Have you ever thought about putting a message in a bottle, then throw it into the sea in the hope that someone will find it years later? Assuming you include your details, then one day you just might get a call to say that someone across the world has received your bottle. Now that is something I would love to do. The problem is I do not live anywhere near a sea or ocean and as I approach middle age, by the time I have found a bottle, got to the coast, found someone who can throw better than me, and considered the time it might take to cross the world, I might never enjoy that unique surprise of someone contacting me. Now that might be a blessing in disguise as in the bottle would be sheets of this Rubbish so perhaps it would be a good thing to never know what my friend across the sea thought of me and my Rubbish.
As an illustration of how different we all are I watched Donald claiming victory in the election this week. No doubt many, like his supporters at his victory speech, hung on his every word and applauded his every sentence. I found the whole thing nauseating.
Just a Thought :
There's a term for a President like Donald Trump, probably not a second though.
What did Trump say when he heard that a Mexican man wanted to be an American fireman? No way Hose A
I told my friend to bottle up his emotions, but he just couldn't contain himself.
Brian
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