April 3, 2026
If you are checking into a hotel, ask for the manager and ask if he/she has any room upgrades and that you would be very appreciative. In our experience, you will get an upgrade a good deal of the time and then, you should show your appreciation with a discreet gratuity. We were recently upgraded from a king room to a junior suite, the manager took us to the room to show it to us, and he and we parted happily if you follow that.
While I am at it, there is a saying and it is true…the only thing that talks in a hotel is money. We tip; we even go looking for people to tip. You can be amazed at how the quality of your stay is enhanced.
In restaurants in tourist areas, we find if we dress up for dinner and ask for a nice table (not in the kitchen, not by the men’s room, not in the middle of the center aisle traffic…) we always get it. And when we are turned down, we smile and say, “That’s OK, we’re willing to wait until one is ready.” We rarely wait very long. When you gently insist on the table and you look like you know the difference, they’ll handle it.
I do not know who designed the Met Life phone system, but the other day, it took me five people and 45 minutes to find out if they got my enrollment for autopay on my life insurance policy. I got ping ponged around the Met Life building. They all said I was on a recorded line, by the third person, I was like, “That’s good news. I want you to play this at your next service meeting. Promise?”
Not sure if anyone likes Senator Fetterman (other than his voters who are really the only ones that he should care about). But I respect him and this in part comes from his background. Just to make the point that you need to open the cover of the book to see the real contents. He’s got chops.
Also, just to say, that if he sends me his size, I’ll buy him a suit if he burns one of his hoodies…
“Fetterman studied finance at Albright College and earned an MBA from the University of Connecticut before beginning a professional career in the insurance industry. He went on to join AmeriCorps and earned an MPP from Harvard University. Fetterman’s service with AmeriCorps led him to Braddock, where he moved in 2004 and was elected mayor the following year. As mayor, Fetterman sought to revitalize the former steel town through art and youth programs.” Wiki
I needed to check my eyeglasses script. I tried to get into my doctor at Mayo in Jacksonville. They said they were booking into September. That wouldn’t work, we were leaving for NC in a few days. Got to Hendersonville (you can’t get there from here), went to the guy who makes all my glasses…he’s the best I’ve ever had. Asked Gary if he had a Doc who could see me for the script.
Now get this…” Go see Karen at Walmart.” Walmart? I went to Walmart. It turns out that Karen works for a friend who has the ocular franchise at Hendersonville Walmart. I walked in, she saw me immediately, charged me $110. What you need to know:
Karen was a Boston-based practitioner, best schools, worked in a big practice in Boston. But her husband wanted the mountains and all of that, so she winds up in Hendersonville. She put me through the paces, gave me a new script (my astigmatism has shifted so I was right in needing a new script). I took it to Gary; he took my four pairs of glasses to put in the new script. I got them in a week.
From start to finish, this all took 90 minutes and cost ¼ of what it would cost at the Mayo Clinic. Plus, Karen was very friendly while the Doc at Mayo seemed irritated that I had shown up for the last appointment, and Gary is Gary. I conclude that Mayo has it too good and indifference in a medical provider indicates nothing good about it. I have more Mayo stories in our future…stay tuned.
Put me down for Karen at Walmart and Gary Bown at Bowen Optical. Not Mayo.
Go figure.
I wonder about this: Does the guy who invented Mozzarella Popper Stickers own up to that or does he live a life in fear, dreading that his friends will find out? And does he have the respect of his children? “Yes, out of everything I’m most proud of is the Mozzarella Popper Sticker.” Really?
Just to say it again, I really dislike Google. And LG is now coming up to a close second. I mean it’s my laptop and TV; I paid for them in full. Why do I have to fight through 2,259 software intrusions, offers for memberships, and unwanted, hateful pop-ups? How about two prices? One with all the garbage and then the premium brand without? Answer: It makes too much sense.
Did you know that consuming raw food can kill you? No? You haven’t read any of the 112,200,243 label warnings that have come your way? See, the thing is this: I am 76. I do not know of a single person in my entire life who died from eating any food, raw or otherwise. It is as though you get in a golf cart and they warn you that lightening can strike and kill you, or the bar of soap carries a warning that eating it could result in a trip to the ER.
So dumb. Look, let’s say that Fred and Evelyn go out to dinner on their 50th anniversary. And Evelyn has a weak spot for her steak, very rare. And she eats the steak and she suddenly startles, stares wide-eyed at Fred, face plants into her plate. Fred is going to sue. He is going to sue the restaurant, the meat packer, the plate company, the waiter, the city, the landlord, even maybe the company who printed the menu. And what will their defense be? Will they wave the warning in front of the bereaved and get off Scot free? “We’re sorry about Evelyn, but we warned her!”
Buddy, just write the check to Fred. It will not matter.
Thoughts, questions, or reflections? I’d love to hear them. You can reach me anytime at anthony@workingprofit.com
