This post was written by Commercial Protection Advisor, Blaise Perrone
It’s 7:15 in the morning. I’m at my local gym, headphones in, music blasting, grinding through my hamstring curls. Then, out of nowhere, an older woman waves at me.
Now, I assume she’s going to ask if she can use the machine next or something, so I pull out my earbud, stop mid-set, and look up.
“Are you gonna’ wipe that machine when you’re done?!”
To be clear, that’s not quite her tone, but it might as well have been.
Here’s the thing: she STOPPED MY WORKOUT to remind me to wipe the machine I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF USING.
How would you react in that situation? (I’d love to hear your honest feedback on this one).
I managed to keep cool and ignore her, but she wasn’t done with me yet…
When I got off the machine to rest between sets, she swooped in, wiped it down like she was sanitizing an operating room—seat, backrest, leg pads, handles, even the weight pin that my supposedly filthy fingers had touched.
Then, she sat down, adjusted the machine to her preferences, did a tiny set, wiped it down again, and walked off. She didn’t speak to me again, but let me tell you, I didn’t wipe down a single machine after that incident for the rest of the day.
Now, this interaction got me thinking: is there any situation where this kind of approach works?
Whether in parenting, relationships, customer service, or even heated discussions, people don’t respond well to this kind of behavior. They either retaliate, shut down, or avoid it altogether.
In business, we deal with rude people all the time. Clients or prospects may want things done on their terms and timeline, and we often feel like we’re just a means to an end.
So, how did I stay calm with this angry machine-wiping lady? I reminded myself that she’s a person, not a threat.
I took a moment to observe her. She was older, with no ring on her finger. Maybe she had lost her husband and was channeling her loneliness or grief. Or maybe she had health issues and was anxious about germs. I’ve been blessed with good health, and I can’t imagine how chronic illness could impact my mood and daily life. That thought gave me some peace in the moment.
C.S. Lewis once said, “It is a serious thing to remember that the dullest, most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare.”
In business, when I reach out to prospects for the first time, I sometimes hear that same energy in their voices:
Who are you? What do you want? I’m having a bad day, and are getting both barrels of it, fella’!
Sound familiar? If you’ve dealt with difficult clients or rude customers, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Like you, I’m here to help people.
Like you, I understand that prospects and clients are often hard to deal with.
Like you, I do what I do to help people. To make their lives better.
And like you, I am most fulfilled when I’m able to do that for my clients.I find fulfillment when I make someone’s life easier through my work. And if you’re looking for a more personal approach to your business insurance coverage, I’d love to help.
Reach out today—let’s make your experience a little smoother, no machine-wiping required. Book a time to meet with me here.
We’d love to talk to you about the specific risks your business faces and how we can help you protect it. We have a full team of business insurance experts ready to help you. Contact us here and let’s get started!
A little more about Blue Marsh Insurance…
When he founded Blue Marsh, Tom Davenport wanted to create a different kind of insurance company. One that’s built on personal relationships and a local presence. One where you, the customer, feel more like a friend.
As an independent insurance agency, Blue Marsh Insurance represents a carefully selected group of financially strong, reputable insurance companies. Therefore, we are able to offer you the best coverage at the most competitive price.
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