Could Not Buy Consideration

A re-post from my old blog

As one of those companies that offer services instead of goods, we normally advise our clients to call us first for an appointment as we prepare our everyday schedule ahead of time. That is to avoid not being able to accommodate a new arrival in case the teacher is already engaged in a class.

Last month, our Math teacher, Teacher Rob,  filed a leave of absence. So, his schedule was cancelled. But we contacted the main office to lend us another Math teacher, in case of special appointments.

On the second day of his leave, one of his regular students, Jana*, a grade 2 pupil, and her mother showed up and the mom demanded that the child be taught that day. We were surprised because Jana was not in the schedule. So, we asked the mom if she placed a call before they came over, because if she did, we could have informed her that Teacher Rob would not be in on that day, but she said, they are regular clients, why does she need to call first?

So, we patiently explained that Teacher Rob is not around, but if it's okay with her we could ask for another teacher from the main office and have Jana scheduled the following day in case it's a kind of emergency, a Math contest or something, though it was actually Christmas vacation.

The mom didn't want any of that. She told us to call Teacher Rob and have him come or give his cellphone number to her so she can call him herself. So, we said we're not allowed to give away our employees' cellphone numbers unless with consent.

Furious and disappointed, she dragged Jana away from our center murmuring about incompetent employees and having money to pay for the services.

It is true that we offer our services, but we don't offer our services ALL THE TIME. We are ordinary people. We can choose to work as much as we can choose to rest. We are not slaves of clients who just happen to have more money than we make with out meager salaries. Maybe they have money, but they couldn't buy KINDNESS and CONSIDERATION and any other virtue that makes a person.. A PERSON.

*Not real name