The Interaction Begins
An elderly man in a worn, distressed jacket walks along a line of polished, high-performance motorcycles inside a showroom. His fingers brush the handlebars of a sleek black machine as he studies its frame.
A salesman in a sharp, tailored navy suit strides over. He crosses his arms, leaning slightly toward the man, and speaks. He gestures dismissively toward the bike.
The older man stops his inspection. He lifts his head and locks eyes with the employee. He states that he is interested in purchasing the machine.
The salesman tilts his head. He shifts his weight and gestures at the man’s jacket with an open hand. He asks what money the man intends to use.
The Transaction
The older man reaches into his coat pocket. He pulls out a slim leather wallet and places it on the counter.
He extracts a credit card and places it firmly on the surface. He tells the salesman he will pay for the motorcycle immediately.
The salesman reaches out and picks up the card. He holds it between his fingers, glancing at it. He looks back up at the man, his eyes narrowing. He asks if the man is serious.
The older man keeps his shoulders squared. He stares directly into the salesman’s face and confirms he is very serious. He does not break his gaze.
The Shift in Power
Other employees gather nearby, standing in a semi-circle behind the salesman. Their arms remain crossed as they look on.
The older man points a finger toward the group. His voice rises. He notes that they were laughing at him only moments before.
He takes a step forward. He tells the salesman that he judged him by his clothes rather than his character. The salesman pulls his chin back, his eyes darting toward his colleagues.
The older man continues. He notes that the employee insulted a customer who was ready to finalize the purchase of the bike. He stares down the man in the suit.
The salesman turns toward a colleague standing behind him. He hands the paperwork to the other employee. He points toward the exit and tells the salesman he is fired. He demands the man leave the building immediately.
The older man leans over the counter and picks up a pen. He lowers his head toward the legal documents. He rests his hand on the paper and writes his signature in a steady, deliberate motion.
He pushes the documents across the glass. The salesman, now looking toward the floor, hands the set of motorcycle keys to the older man. The man takes them, his fingers closing around the metal as he turns away from the counter.
Share this with someone who knows that character is worth more than a first impression. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.