honey/vinegar

i had a very good discussion with little owl the other day about office politics and the honey/vinegar theory (as in, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar)...and it's something i've been thinking about a lot, as i've been highly agitated in the workplace of late. and it makes me wonder if i'm just too optimistic, or too naive or too something for my own good. but somewhere along the way, i actually did get it into my head that the best way to get someone to help you is not to overwhelm them by force, using terse sentences and the banner of your power, but to simply be nice. and i am sometimes amazed at how well that philosophy works. and how easily it is forgotten, as well. an example from my own life: we have man in chicago, man in sao paolo, both of whom want me to do some writing for them. guy in chicago is rude to me, tearing apart in a non-constructive manner something i've bent over backward to tailor to his specifications (i know, i harp on this guy a lot, but he really bothers me). ergo, therefore, now when i see his name in my inbox, i ignore it. i put it off as long as i can and i rarely do things for him voluntarily. now. man in sao paolo? always has a moment to say hello. is always very positive about the work we do for him out of this office. all critiques are constructive. we treat each other like human beings, and as a result, if i see a missive from him, i take care of his request as soon as i can.

perhaps it's childish. perhaps it's petty. but someone who says thank you is far more likely to win my loyalty and my elbow grease than someone who makes my day unpleasant.

hm. okay. looking at that above missive, i must reiterate: i'm still a cynical old bandicoot. but i am a big believer in basic courtesy. seriously.