What the hell is it with party business owners? These people are too much; to the point where they're so screwy, they could probably screw up a blank page.
Oh... and before I go any further, here's something for you to read... The Cater-Hater Reader Advisory: about Party Mad Monday posts.
Now here's the thing. I don't mind taking hits for my own business, if it's our fault. But when someone starts slamming what people like me do - that stand up for you guys as consumers like I do, I, at least would like to hope that it's accurate information that's being shared and not something out of the "Party industry people are out for themselves, don't offer us worthwhile deals and incentives, and basically don't really care about us" play book. Because that's exactly what a lot of party consumers think and say; what's quoted.
What is it about party customers that inspires and causes party business people to feel such annoyance and loathing?
Is it that they think that you guys come off acting like a bunch of bitches? Because I think that's a bunch of b.s.. When angry party customers bite their tongues and keep silent but are, deep-down inside, really angry about how they think a caterer or party planner (event planner or wedding planner) acts or they're upset about what wasn't done correctly at their party, they feel like they're entitled to be outspoken about what they don't like (which is sometimes also based on all of the money that they've spent). Then when party business owners sometimes get honest and say what they think; and what they think is not what they're always necessarily "right" about, which is what they say that customers certainly don't know... the truth about how things really go in the party business, and that party customers seem too forceful about having things go the way they want - and not in the way of the vision that they have - as their party service provider. Then, they are referred to as, well, being a pain in the ass, too outspoken, and too forceful when the party service provider thinks that it's not necessary. When a party customer is tough, outspoken and forceful, they say they're bitchy. And unfortunately yes, that's exactly how they're taken (it's taken) and it's just as simple as that.
Party customers, who party business owners say they want more of and obviously really need, are widely despised by the service people in the industry, and frankly I've always wondered why. Because clearly, that makes no sense. For example, when "Little Miss Rich Party Customer" came into her wealth and as result, her power, and realized she had it, her party service providers kissed her ass, put up with her idiot demands (as they would put it), and hence decided to stop telling the truth (about how they really feel) about her "Royal 1%-er bloodline" (whether it's old money or the nouveau riche), and instead sometimes they'll get involved in just about anything in the world that they can to become the "poster children for caring about everything that rich people care about", to be hailed as the "hero" by "Little Miss Rich Party Customer" and the crowd that she runs with. They love her... now. They even love her demands. And, they pretend to love everything else about her ass... because she's not ordinary. She's not considered "ordinary" because she has a lot of money to spend.
When a "normal" so called "average" customer comes up with the money to hire a party service provider, and during the process of putting things together, decides to stop putting up with the caterer's pushy ways and stop listening to their event planner's idiotic ideas (of trying to get them to do everything they want, at the very least) and get actively involved in the planning of their party, wedding, or corporate special event, they're reviled as a bitch. Is it because "Little Miss Rich Party Customer"was pretty, acted passive-aggressively "demure" and was dressed to the nine's every time her caterer and party planner saw her pull up in her $95,000.00 Mercedes-Benz S-Class car? Because they, like she, know exactly what they want too; not to have to deal with the "common" people or "average" people; setting themselves apart, by wanting to hang out the richest people they can find. And, they have the manners to let that be known? And, the "normal" so called "average" customer was what? Well, not-as-pretty, and was acrimonious, and wore what they would call "ugly" clothing? I don't know everything, but I will tell you this - at least when the "normal" so called "average" customer shows up, we - as party service providers, more often than not, are getting a customer who appreciates the transformation of our work. So, what in the hell is up with, uh, whatshername? Oh yeah, "Little Miss Rich Party Customer". Unless you kiss her ass, what in the hell is with her? She's not easy to impress and comes off as looking "jaded", because of what she's seen, due to the number of parties that she's attended. She suffers from "social butterfly syndrome".The "normal" so called "average" party customer doesn't always have the wherewithal to get party business owners a slew of new, well-to-do customers, because most of these types of customers aren't a financial force to be reckoned with - and aren't in the "good ole' rich peoples club". So yeah, then... she's what they call a bitch. A broke (because she doesn't have a lot of money to spend), tough, forceful, outspoken bitch. Of course that's what she is, right? Wrong. But she'd pretty much have to be, wouldn't she; to be taken seriously by some of the hoity-toity party professionals out there; who think their shit doesn't stink? And honestly, a hoity-toity party person isn't what you'd want as your caterer or planner, anyway. I mean, the last thing I'd want - if I had to hire someone, would be some brash, overly-aggressive, annoyingly extroverted party geek. I'd expect who I'd hire to be respectful and all about their business, while remembering to always be gracious and kind.
But, by the actions of the Rude Party Business Owner Deity, some of these party insiders could bug the ever-living crap out both wealthy and non-wealthy party customers alike, couldn't they? Party consumers I can understand, because there's nothing more troublesome and "frightening" to them (and their wallets) than an overzealous, phony party planner or caterer, saying what they think are all the "right" things, while really looking to get their grubby little hands on your money. Look at some of them, if you feel like it - I mean. They're the perfectly presented, rehearsed-sounding, business attired and made-up, aggressive and certainly not passive, party industry ideal of the so-called "conservative" caterer or party planner. And the rich people-customers? What's the deal with these people?
During anytime of the day or night, they'll act like they're so important and also like they have so much empathy for people of lesser means, and then they'll turn around and do everything but call "normal" so called "average" people (which most of them were, before they made a lot of money) a bitch. And, even though you might not here them say it - if you're paying close attention, you will clearly find; rich people and their party service provider(s), are thinking it. But like Madonna, my "home slice" or "home girl" from Rochester, Michigan said, "Sometimes you have to be a bitch to get things done".I mean... seriously. What are catering business owners and event planning business owners strategies again? Have you seen their score cards? And in this instance, have you seen what looks like the score cards of the rich? Caterers: Pricey menus, Serving GMO food, Poor arrive on-time management, Stingy... not willing to do free pre-event tastings! Event, Party, and Wedding Planners: Be nice to me. Understand me. I'm practically like you, because I'm not a rich bitch! Rich People: Screw the party business owners, screw the "average" party customers... we're the ones they need the most, the stupid bitches! Oh and like me, because I'm not a slacker - I worked hard for every penny I ever made, you bunch of retards.I'm the "Anti-Rich" Person, you dummies. And at least I'm not poor!
Hell, by the looks of things... caterers and planners almost command more respect than Rich People.
"Average" party customers and the cat have something in common...
In my opinion, party insiders (party business owners) look and act like they're scared of rich people, which comes off looking suspicious, too, at times. When they appear this way - they get talked about, especially by their "average" customers, after they've been looking nervous and saying something stupid, they often don't see the consequences of their words and actions (or lack thereof). And then, by attacking "average" party customers instead of being composed and "professional" about it, and not acting childish pulling all sorts of "he said/she said - it's all their fault" crap, these people have put themselves in a bad position; a position resembling that of a child being reprimanded; for behaving like a brat. And just like bratty children facing an adult, they're going to lose (with their "average" customers). Sure, there are rich customers that know how to present being savvy and experienced about what they want, by being smart and very aggressive, and enough of an outright bitch to take control of the situation - and get exactly what they want. And that's exactly the same thing that some "average' customers do; mentally slap the party service provider down, and sometimes, hard. And the smart so called "average" ones do it in a manner that clearly shows they're driving the bus because they've had it... they've put up with enough nonsense from not having a lot of money, while also sitting in the backseat.
I really wonder what party business owners are thinking. They're pretty much burning their bridges. If rich party customers continue to slow down on spending their money on parties, as it seems like they're doing at the moment, they'll be even more screwed (than some of them already are now). So what then? You know as well as I do, they'll feel forced to go after as many new rich customers as they can find. What are they going to say to their "average" customers then? Something along the lines of "Well, I know I said some of our rich clientele were evil bitches, but, hey, isn't it better to have to deal with the Rich Customer Devils We Know as opposed to looking for the broke Average Devil We Also Know Customers to keep us afloat? So then, I guess they'll continue to look like and be typical party professionals. And how's that going to work, when the rich women (and men) they also vilify are the ones they'll have to work with? Here's a suggestion, you idiot party business owners... why don't you guys start telling the truth about how you feel about people and their perceived "class" - before we hire you, instead of trying to get us to not think that you're all just a bunch of class-conscious, money chasing, money-mongering fools. Just a thought, dear(s).Personally, as you can tell - I don't much care for some party business owners - just like you don't either, but that doesn't mean that I think that some of them don't do a decent job. If it comes down to it, I'd much rather have an "average", tough, hard-nosed, aggressive, bitchy person as my customer than some rich, whiny, asshole who thinks they have impeccable taste and style, just because they have money. And I damned sure would rather see you walking in the door of my office than some looney-toon, tyrant-ass, rich bitch, but I guess that pretty much goes without saying, huh?
*****
I do this... I write to help to create to opportunities for all of you who choose to pursue your passion to have parties, also taking into account today's economic constraints.
I think if we keep talking about the cost of parties (I write the blog posts, you write comments), together, maybe we can break down some of the party industry's price barriers and shame some of the people who've taken your money and delivered a poor quality product right into growing a conscious and treating you right (nice thought, huh?).
Opportunities to be inspired about parties are everywhere. Yet, people looking out for your wallet are few and far between. My goal is to inspire you, causing you to question the way things are that have been the status quo for too long. When we stand together and speak up, we can be a powerful force.
Let's keep the conversation of change going. Because in the sea of everyone talking, one voice is a whisper... several voices are a scream.
Leave a comment and share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions below. Remember to be as specific as possible because what you have to say helps us all.
Always... be encouraged and encourage others too,
“Truthbomb #240: We need you.” - Danielle LaPorte
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