Continuing my list of No-Commentary Episodes from The Trip.
Number four.
RESORT DUDE: Another part of my witness for the Lord is that I don’t carry any debt.
ME: Oh. I see.
Okay. I can’t do it, okay? I can’t not comment on this. I can’t. Look. It’s nice that he doesn’t carry any debt, really, it is. But how, how, is that part of his public witness? How do people know this unless, uhm, he tells them? How does it come up in casual coffeehouse conversation? I had many many casual coffeehouse conversations with my customers and it never once came up.
Just how does that come up??
CUSTOMER: I’d like a hazelnut latte, please.
RESORT DUDE: Hey, do you know I don’t carry any debt?
How???
I’m not trying to invalidate his decision on this point. I think it’s probably wise, although, with the kind of business he has, I don’t know how that’s entirely possible — not carrying debt. He wants his business to “go to the next level,” wanted us to be the people to “help make it happen,” and yet, after ten years in business, he hasn’t gotten there. Maybe he needs to take some risks, take on a little bit of debt, and market himself to the next level, you know? He clearly needs some kind of a springboard to get there. Just sayin’.
My issue with this is how is that decision part of his public witness? People notice how you treat them. They don’t notice whether you’re carrying debt. It’s a private issue and his is a private conviction. Don’t make it something else. I mean, my first impression of him wasn’t, “Wow. I bet he doesn’t carry any debt.” No, my first impression of him was, “Hm. For someone in the hospitality business his hospitality needs some work.”
If someone were to ask his opinion on it, then I think he has an opening to discuss it — in principle. But to bring it up unsolicited takes a careful private conviction and brings it out into the marketplace of public opinion and praise. He wanted me to praise him on this private unseen conviction and I wasn’t going to play the game. I was actually less impressed with his private conviction because he was willing to sell it for a compliment. That’s like saying, “Hey, do you know I gave a thousand bucks to such-and-such charity?” No. No. You don’t do that. You do it and shut up about it.
Strike Four.
I am a relatively new reader and I find this whole thing fascinating! How does this guy manage to stay in business? He is so extremely WEIRD!! I would think people would be running and screaming after any contact with the creep. Am wondering how many strikes there are. Can it get any worse? It was probably a TREMENDOUS blessing that you did not get involved in any financial dealings with RESORT DUDE.
I think he needs to re-read the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
Ugh! I am sorry…maybe this is unkind, but I don’t like this guy. I don’t like him.
I don’t like people who do things like worship or exercise or diet or “carry no debt” for the purpose of public acknowledgement. To me these are the kinds of things you do for yourself, because they are good for your body, your mind, your soul, your future or any combination of the above. These are things that should bring you so much self-satisfaction, that you don’t need to use it for external rewards, like the praise and approval of others.
Publicizing these types of things has the exact opposite of the desired effect on me. Now he has just cheapened it. And now, rather than respect him for his accomplishment, I think he’s a tool, and I hold no admiration for his achievement whatsoever.
*I don’t mean to lump anyone who ever talks about worship, exercise, diet, etc. in this category. It is okay to talk about these things in many, many contexts, EXCEPT the one in which you are bragging, or lording it over someone else that you are a debt-free, size 4 marathon runner who is a witness for the Lord.
Part of my witness is to rob from the debt-free and deposit in my account; so where’s this dude located again?
I think this guy needs to put some oil on his head, wash his face and start praying with his door closed.
Lisa, that was the first thing I thought of too! Pharisee!
Tracey, hon, I don’t know how you made it through the whole weekend.
MM — /lording it over someone else that you are a debt-free, size 4 marathon runner who is a witness for the Lord. /
Hahahahahaha. But I AM!!
Cullen — Oh, you know where he is. 😉
sarahk — Again, anthropologically interesting. That was all. Also, worth noting: I love you.
Karen — Hi, welcome! (Your comment went into moderation because it was a first-time comment.)
You know, I’m not sure how many strikes there will be in total. Depends on how I divvy it up. But, yeah, again, I haven’t even touched on the worst part yet. That’s coming.
Oh, me too. I AM a debt-free size 4 marathon runner who is a witness for the Lord.
Except for my mortgage, and my car payments, and my credit card, and my RV payment.
Oh and change that 4 to a…well, just change it.
Oh and change the word “runner” to “couch-sitter”.
Oh and I’m not a great witness. I struggle. I work on it. Like that.
But otherwise I AM!
Would it be wrong to call this place “Resort Due”?
I love you too! And thank you for noting your love for me.