Poor Manners Equal Poor Business

Reason For Some Failures

For the average man success frequently depends more upon his manner and appearance than upon his knowledge of his trade or business, or, one might also say, of his profession. A Chicago newspaper has lately been noting some failures and their causes. It cites the case of one man who was a successful saleman in a business house in Chicago, but was unable to get any customers when sent on the road. The general manager of the business went to lunch with him one day, to talk over the matter. 

The man crumbled crackers into his soup until it was thick and then ate the mixture from the end of his spoon in great mouthfuls. When the meat was served, he shoveled it in with his knife, and had finished eating and was noisily picking his teeth almost before the manager had begun his meal. In reply to a question, he told the manager that he always took his customers out to lunch, and used every method to win their confidence and friendship. 

The manager then said, “You couldn't sell me a stick of gum. No man whose personal habits are so obtrusively vulgar as yours could have the slightest influence with me. Had I lunched with you before sending you out on the road, I would never have disgraced our house by giving it such a representative.” These words hurt, but the man profited by them, and today is one of the most gentlemanly as well as one of the most successful salesmen on the road. 

Another case cited is that of a minister whose unrefined manners annoyed his women relatives. They tried to help him, but he resented their suggestions, and men less able intellectually, but with more of the graces of refinement in their manners, were called to the opportunities for service in the pulpits of the large and influential churches. 

They used to teach manners in the old days. Now there is little formal instruction. If a youth does not learn good manners at home, he has to pick them up when he gets out into the world, or else be handicapped. Great geniuses have commanded respect in spite of boorishness, but it is never safe for a young man to assume that he is a genius.– San Pedro Daily News, 1906

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