September 19, 2007PowerPhrase – I owe you a whole new carpet
When Sammie got back to her office, the contractor greeted her with the news,
*I owe you a whole new carpet.
Not something you want to hear at all, but if you’ve got to break bad news, this is the way to do it. He had spilled paint all over the carpet. His way of explaining it defused her right away – she never had to wonder if he was planning to take care of it.
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In a world that is heavily populated with evasive weasels this is just flat wonderful! I m sure the contractor’s integrity shows in all he does.
Nik
Comment by Nik Nikkel — September 25, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
This little tale brings to mind all the times I hear people being spotlighted in the news saying something like “I take full responsibility for my actions.” But this seems to be a PC code for “I’m being a gentleman so think of me as a hero, or at least a well intentioned, sincere guy.” Such people have no eartly idea what it means to “… take responsibility.” But the painter in your story did. He knew what he did and he knew what he had to do to take responsibility – replace the carpet.
Comment by Kathleen — September 30, 2007 @ 10:03 pm