In business.
People with nothing on the back burner have two affects on me.
First, they can send me into shock and silence.
Second, they mess with my head.
I’ll explain.
1. People With Nothing on the Back Burner Send Me Into Shock.
People with nothing the back burner have nothing to sell me.
No agenda.
No secret mission to get my money.
Or my time.
And creepiest of all.
They don’t actually want anything from me.
Yet they have the audacity to just stand there.
Being all generous and concerned.
Listening hard.
Punctuating our conversation with examples of how they or others can help me.
Asking for absolutely bloody nothing at all in return.
And as I say.
This can send me into shock and silence.
2. People With Nothing on the Back Burner Mess With My Head.
People with nothing on the back burner also mess with my head.
They know what they’re bloody doing.
They know what they’re making me do.
They’re brainwashing me.
They’re making me like them.
In both senses of the word.
They’re making me like them.
And they’re making me like them.
They’re making me want to help them too.
And they’re making me want nothing at all in return.
From them.
People with nothing on the back burner.
They’re messing with my head.
Plan.
So I have developed a plan for dealing with these bloody people.
These people with nothing on the back burner.
As soon as I get the slightest suspicion that someone is nice.
That they have nothing on the back burner.
As soon as I get the slightest suspicion that they might want to help me selflessly.
I frown at them.
Through squinty eyes.
And I get in first!
I wrack my brains to try to help them.
Before they can help me.
Heading them off, the cheeky sods.
By thinking (something like):
This’ll show them.
They think they can come out here being all kind.
And generous.
Trying to out-nice me.
Well they can’t.
Because I am going to out-nice them!
Business.
People with nothing on the bloody back burner.
They turn me into someone with nothing on the bloody back burner.
Both of us just trying to out-nice each other.
Imagine if everyone in business was like that!
In fact, imagine if everyone in life was like that!
Bloody weirdos.
Dedication.
This story is a dedication.
To him: https://www.50odd.co.uk/back-burner/.
6 Comments
Thank you There’s a reason I’m smiling in the photo
Super!
M.
Can’t quite understand what point you are trying to make.
Are you saying that people should not be helpful and pleasant without some ulterior motive to extract money from you?
As the old saying goes ‘it is nice to be nice’ and this is often sufficient reward for many.
Hello Les.
All I am saying.
Is this…
When someone is selfless with me.
And kind.
And generous.
I can’t help but mirror them.
That’s it!
Thanks for commenting Les.
Michael.
Hi Michael,
I’m one of those who believe I’ve nothing on the back burner until I read this…thank you for talking about me so eloquently, my planned worked
Are you OK though Claire?
M.