Why? Why does Bob get to go first? Well, we need
to see what kind of dude Bob is. Not only is it polite,
but it can also help you figure out where to go in the
Whammy-diddle X conversation.
Is Bob a pretty amicable guy? Does he seem able to
hold a decent conversation? Does he want to hear other
opinions that may differ from his own? Does he act like
a rational human being? GREAT! You just may be able
to share your thoughts with Bob in a professional and
educated manner. Heck, he may even listen!
Is Bob acting a bit like a super freak? Is his speech (that’s
what he would probably be giving at this point) all over
the place? Does he cut you off before you can open your
mouth to take in air to form a word? Does he act like
a bit of a whack? Probably best to smile and nod, and
possibly back away slowly. There is nothing you can do
for Bob. His opinion is already formed to the point of
overzealous wacky behavior. No matter what you say, he
will interject, quite possibly with things that do not even
make sense. You may say, “Well Bob view point “A” on
this….” And he may interject with “PUH! View point “A”
has chickens laying eggs upon the unborn children of
aliens, and they mine illegal diamonds with slave chimp
labor……” This is where you smile and nod and …
quickly exit. Bob’s opinion is formed and set. There is
no changing, swaying, or educating Bob. You may find
his opinion irrational, but he is entitled to it. Difference
is what makes us each who we are, and diversity is not
a bad thing.
We need to be professional. We need to be educated.
If someone wants to come up to you and tell you how
“mean” you are to your dog because you do creative
with it, you need to be prepared. You need to be
professional and most of all EDUCATED. How are you
being “mean”? The color? Well then you had better
know what is IN that color you have on your dog. You
had better know how your dog reacts to it all, and you
had better know your dog. One of my personal favorite
tools is a good ol’ MSDS sheet, which is available to
anyone whom asks for them on virtually any product.
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) will tell you
everything you need to know. Is the product an inhalant
hazard? How about a fire hazard? Is it safe enough for
a child to use? Please be careful with using the FDA
(Food and Drug Administration) label as a safety source,
as they have tons of recalls every year. MSDS don’t lie.
They are simply statements of facts.
When it comes to bad press, don’t rage and rave.
It is normal to be angry, just embrace it and write a
letter that will not be sent, including all the profanities
and name calling you want…then burn it and write a
professional, EDUCATED letter. Take your time, and get
some support from your friends. Come on the member
board and ask for an ear to chew a bit. But please, for
the good of creative groomers as a whole, approach it
cool, calm, and collected. Be the educated professional
defending what you love to do.
Remember, the best revenge is to live well. Do what
you love and stick to your guns. We are all on this
crazy ship together.
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