Good Samaritan? Think again
Open-door policy has come to a screeching stop
Afriend once accused me of having a poverty mentality. It hit me hard although I later understood his point. We were waffling about the rot prevalent in our public service and the private sector.
An auditor and accountant, he said my principles would keep me in penury. I’ve always thought I was unscrupulous and ruthless, hence his accusation rankled.
I assist many people on almost a daily basis without asking for a cent. I have an open-door policy wherein everyone enters and asks for help. Whether it is applying for the R350 Covid-19 grant or filing for tax returns online, or registering for a closed corporation, I’m your man.
Many have promised me a braai or a six pack and I’m still waiting. I also dabble in mceeing without compensation at weddings and parties.
I tried to rationalise and give excuses for not charging for my professional services. I mean, how do you charge an indigent for helping him apply for R350 via Whatsapp?
Wondy (my friend) reckons that the negligible amount has value and should be taxed. Heartless number cruncher, if you ask me.
This is not an invitation for yet more unpaid work but a complaint that I’m reconsidering my poverty mentality.
I’m sending the word out that I’m taking my friend’s advice and am about to formalise the business and charge.
The state of the economy is so depressed that doing anything for mahala is counter-productive. Most of my clients are unlikely to read Straight & Two Beers, so I’m basically selling sand to the
Arab or ice to the Eskimo.
Why am I bothering you with my charity work? Because I came across an interesting online discussion wherein fellow professionals lamented a corporate that required their services for free. The said company would ask you to present at its Open Day and motivate employees. In return, you get a goodie bag instead of proper remuneration. Horse manure, I say!
I once compiled a press pack for an aspiring telecoms company and upon delivery, they tried to arm-wrestle me out of honouring the invoice.
I could not believe the chicanery.
If you hire a DJ or artists to perform at your occasion, the booking is not free. It’s the same principle with a plumber and electrician, so why should some of us who use mental tools perform for nothing?
I’m shedding my poverty mentality and my eyes have opened, even if it’s late in the day. I will no longer be accepting gratuity via the dop system. Thank you for buying Sunday World and reading Straight & Two Beers because it pays my bills.