3 ms·

Oof. Yeah, there's nothing about the modern US economy that's leading me to see poverty and think 'morality play.'

• WalterBright 4y ago
  I once hired a handyman to do some repairs around the house. I mentioned his name to a neighbor, who said watch out for him, things disappear when he's around. I told the handyman I changed my mind and didn't need him. I once hired a roofing contractor, who did a good job. But I never got a bill. After some time had passed, I called him up and asked him if he'd sent a bill and I'd lost it or something. He laughed, and said he was going through a divorce and hadn't been able to do the billing. I said I wanted to be sure I didn't stiff him, because then all the local contractors would know that I tried to not pay. He laughed again, and said you bet us contractors pass the word on who avoids payment. We tell them we can't fit them into our schedule. The prof who taught me accounting used to work as a car salesman. I asked him how to tell a good dealer from a bad one. He said the good ones have been in business for more than 5 years. That means they are living on repeat business. The bad ones get no repeat business, and go bust. You see how being dishonest burns down ladders to success, and you'll never know it.