The article makes it quite clear that the seller chose the direct approach rather than wasting his time negotiating with someone, who did not have any leverage

The article makes it quite clear that the seller chose the direct approach rather than wasting his time negotiating with someone, who did not have any leverage or provide any added value for his business. There is a variation of a proverb that was used as a sign and was ubiquitous in bars, pubs, tradesmen, shops et al., which stated: 'Don't ask for credit, as a smack in the mouth often hurts[offends]'. This worked like a charm to ward off any would-be chancers and freeloaders; the ice cream man's version is more modern and less vague. It also comes across, that he rather enjoyed his meta role of becoming an 'anti-influencer' and then using that influence to get the traditional media involved, thus influencing the silent majority to get behind his message, with bonus points for boosting his business without compromising on his ideals.