Do unto others, and check up on those who don't

I always say that to keep us out of trouble, one of the best rules of thumb, is the old “do unto others”. We don’t all like or appreciate the same things, but it is a good guideline, especially once we get into some serious decisions on how we treat others.

If I could turn all the lies told on my behalf into manure I could fertilize the world. Most of that is because I my work sometimes involves a website that allows callers to leave feedback. It is usually an OK thing, but there are always people who just have to try to hurt you. They were hurt by your answer and they need to retaliate that hurt, so they slam you in your feedback. It is a financial hit that is annoying more than anything. I have the blessing of having a large customer base, so even though they do not always leave feedback (some call daily), I still have calls coming in. When readers are new, they do not have that luxury. It can take a wonderfully talented person and knock them right of the site, a person who could have helped many people.

It is to a point where many readers won’t take calls from certain callers, or new callers, or people they have a bad vibe about. It is self preservation. I DO know this, we can check on the “reputation” of a caller. It is simple, we Google their screen name. Google is a wonderful thing. When you Google a person and a site, you can see all their feedback….and read it. It is so sad that there are people out there who NEVER say anything positive.

It is hard to get sites to control feedback, many are trying, some have changed their formats so that people cannot make litigious remarks. The site I work on recently warned callers not to make such remarks,as if the reader complains about people saying things like “fake” , then the site will release the caller’s information to legal authorities for processing. The anonymity of the internet goes away.People who write nasty, slanderous things can get sued.

 The internet has made people who don’t have the courage to say anything directly, Bravehearts. They mouth off quite frequently and in a nasty way.

That isn’t the end though. When you use a site and you see negativity against anyone, research the person who left the feedback. Do they say the same thing all the time? DO they leave nasty feedback all over the site or all over the net? Then that is not a person who’s advice you want. Don’t let them tell you who to call, where to eat, or where to stay on vacation.

My husband and I stay at a nice , quiet resort in Sedona every year. One year a flood of nasty feedback was written about the place. This place prides itself on being secluded, quiet , and peaceful. That is why people go there. It is a small place tucked in a canyon where a creek runs thorough. There isn’t room for any cars other than at each cabin site, and it is one of the most peaceful places on earth. After reading the nasty feedback I realized it was a group of people who came on to the property, who were not staying there and who participated in a noisy party until they were all thrown out. No guests are allowed on this site, only people registered. No loud parties are allowed, no upsetting the guests who come for the peace and quiet. So here the owners ended up with 7 or 8 nasty write ups by people who didn’t even pay to stay there! The VERY sad part is that people who do not know better will read it and not stay there. The loss is to the owners AND the people who didn’t get to experience this wonderful place.

Be careful what you read, verify it, check it out. Check it our correctly.

When you see bad feedback, check out the person who left it. Check it out on any site. Yelp is full of nasty people having terrible things to say, and I know the site I work on has mentally and emotionally disturbed callers, plus angry people. Check out the feedback author. Don’t allow a negative and hurtful person to keep you from a reader, restaurant, hotel…that may be just perfect for you!

Realize that many use feedback as a weapon. Many who loved the service never write their kudos, so when you do get good service, SHOUT IT OUT!

Do unto others, and as I say….do the right things for the right reasons!

Peshaui Wequashimese

(C)2014 Dr R M Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.