Who suffers when you badmouth a business?

Franklin County is home to breathtaking beaches, wonderful historical scenery and some of the best restaurants and shops that Florida has to offer. Anyone who has had the honor to visit or reside here knows of the beauty that this county possesses.

It is puzzling however, that such a beautiful place could be filled with so many unattractive people. The main allure of this county is the fact that it has not yet been overrun by large corporations, and still has feel of “Small Town, U.S.A.” The problem is that some Franklin County residents forget this, and their actions prove this.

When one small business “bad mouths” another, they are failing to realize that they are not encouraging patrons to be their customers, but are simply portraying themselves as unfriendly, mean-spirited people who lack basic customer service skills. The most disheartening consequence of their actions is that not just the business owner is affected. I tend to have more faith in humanity than is reasonable and want to believe that these culprits have not completely considered the results of their actions

My hopes are that the next time they decide to discourage other small businesses for selfish reasons; they remember a child of Franklin County. The kids whose mother works fulltime as a waitress and even though she’s overworked and underpaid, she smiles at every customer.

You do not think of her missing out on valuable time with her child. You do not think of her willingness and determination to do anything to put food on that child’s plate; and you MUST not be thinking of her when you send customers away from her place of employment. All YOU see… is a smile.

I am not this waitress. I’m just fortunate enough to see past the smile to the human being underneath. You know her as well. She is at every restaurant, every bar, and every shop that you frequent.

Angela McElroy