[AT] A commentary on how to win friends and influence people at tractor shows

[David Bruce]

I agree with Charlie that there are better ways to get to the same point.
Tone does matter.

David
NW NC

On 10/8/2014 6:49 PM, David Rotigel wrote:
> I realize that a tone of voice can mean A LOT in this sort of situation, but, having said that, I do not see anything wrong with the words that the guy used.
> 	Dave
>
> On Oct 8, 2014, at 4:11 PM, charlie hill <charliehill at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I offer this as constructive criticism to folks that volunteer with tractor
>> and engine shows.
>>
>>
>> Weekend before last we were in Hagerstown, MD visiting Lynn's parents.   We
>> usually go
>> about this time of the year and come back with a few bushels of apples from
>> our favorite
>> apple farm.  The farm happens to be out very near to Smithsburg, MD where
>> they hold an
>> annual "Steam Show" on that very weekend.  I've been before and enjoyed it
>> very much so we
>> decided to ride by there after we left the orchard.  We didn't have time to
>> take the show in
>> and do it justice so we were just going to stop long enough for me to take a
>> quick look around.
>> I just wanted to see if they had a good crowd and if they had the same sort
>> of displays they had in years gone by.  Plus I had
>> my Jack Russell Terrier with me and there is NO WAY to take a Jack Russell
>> to an engine show.
>> I don't think that Mike Rohr (sorry I that is probably misspelled) who is
>> part of that show still reads this list
>> so I don't know who I'm addressing this too if anyone so I guess it is
>> addressed to whom ever might
>> benefit from it.
>>
>> Now let me stop right here and explain that I know full well that the folks
>> at the show had no
>> way to know what I just told this group and I fully understand that.
>>
>> As we started to drive into the show grounds parking lot there were signs
>> EVERYWHERE, probably
>> dozens of signs, saying No Dogs allowed but before I saw any of those signs
>> I was in the driveway
>> headed to the parking lot and as  I said I had no intent to take the dog in
>> anyway and no intent to
>> even go in unless I had seen something particularly interesting worthy of a
>> quick hop out and look.
>> There was no way to turn around and go back out.  We were committed with a
>> line of cars behind us.
>> I told Lynn well we'll just drive on through the lot and see if we can see
>> anything from the parking lot
>> and go on.  Then I see a group of ladies who are taking donations for
>> parking.  As we approached them
>> Lynn and I discussed it and decided we'd go ahead and give them a donation.
>> As I handed the lady
>> a five dollar bill the Jack Russell was standing in my lap.  She took the
>> money and didn't say a word.
>> We pulled forward.  There was an open road to the exit straight ahead of me
>> that would have taken me
>> right down the side of the show where I could have looked briefly at the
>> displays but there was a fellow
>> standing there motioning me to go left.  I did so without any discussion or
>> argument.
>>
>> That's when it happened.  This fellow who waved us left, probably mid 40's,
>> about 6'2 maybe and stocky built but not overweight,
>> with short cropped hair and looking every bit like a cop in street clothes
>> let me turn left with the dog, now on the other side, hanging out the
>> window  of the truck in plain sight and then he YELLS OUT, again like a cop
>> at a DUI check point,
>> STOP RIGHT THERE SIR!!  I NEED TO TALK TO YOU.   Then he proceeded to walk
>> over and start to lecture me with....
>> Sir "I" can't allow YOU to take THAT DOG into the show.  As he was about to
>> continue I said in a polite but direct voice,  Sir the dog is
>> not going to get out of the truck.  At that he backed off and left me alone.
>> We proceeded out the back of the parking lot
>> and left as we had intended to do all along.
>>
>> I hope the Smithsburg Boosters club puts the 5 bucks to good use because
>> it's the last time they'll get a dime from me and the
>> last time I ever intent to attend their show.  It's not the shows fault, I
>> have no argument with them.  It's not the booster clubs
>> fault, I have no argument with them.  I fully understand why they don't want
>> dogs running around in their show and I agree.
>> What burned me was this guys power trip attitude which I'm sure no one can
>> properly read into my writing but I understood
>> loud and clear.   I didn't mind one bit being asked about the dog but he
>> could have done it in a friendly manner.
>> I don't go to tractor and steam shows to be talked to like a street punk and
>> if I subject myself to it again it will be my fault.
>>
>> Everyone at that show appeared to be friendly and welcoming this time as
>> they always have been in the past EXCEPT this one
>> bully.  Obviously they have had a previous problem with dogs or they would
>> not have spent a small fortune on White signs with
>> bold RED print saying NO DOGS but they need to understand that someone from
>> 400 miles away can't do anything about having
>> their pet with them when they turn into a parking lot where there is no way
>> to turn around and at least be polite about it.   He seemed
>> to have the attitude that "THIS IS MY SHOW AND BY GOD IF THESE JERKS WANT TO
>> COME TO IT THEY BETTER TOE THE LINE AND
>> DO LIKE I SAY!"  The only thing that kept him from looking like Barney Fife
>> is the fact that he was big enough so as to avoid being
>> construed to be a comical fool.  A fool yes, just not comical.
>>
>> All the man had to say, if anything, was a polite "sir, I assume you are
>> going to leave the pup in the truck" or something to that effect
>> but no he had to throw his weight and assumed authority around.  If anyone
>> from the Smithsburg Steam Show or anyone who runs
>> a show reads this, please take it as I intended, as constructive criticism
>> and realize that folks who go to your shows, sometimes from
>> great distances, don't go there to be harassed and treated like criminals.
>>
>> Charlie
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> AT mailing list
>> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>