My dear reader, greetings! Welcome back to our journey of life reflections. Without you, I wouldn't be able to write. I continue to thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts.
This week, I thought we should travel together by reflecting on a friend of mine. He really wants to start a clothing boutique, but he absolutely detests being inconvenienced. He has a strong desire to make it big in life through the clothing business, but knowing him, he cannot stand being pestered or dealing with people's drama.
First, listening to him and thinking about his personality, I thought to myself: He has his work cut out for him. Does he actually know us customers well, or does he just hear about us? This week, I decided to write this article for his sake, so he can reflect on whether he can truly handle the music. Let me break down exactly how we customers are these days:
1. Those of us who window-shop, compare, and then disappear—only to return later. There are so many business owners out there. Because of this, we customers can be a bit conceited sometimes. We can come to your shop, check things out as if we are definitely buying, and then leave for another place just to compare prices and quality. If we realize your items are still better and the prices align with what we want, we will come back to you. Are you ready to serve us when we return without taunting us about why we left in the first place? Can you keep your mouth shut? If you annoy us even slightly, we just walk away. We are the customers, after all!
2. Those of us who inspect every single item by touching and handling them, only to leave empty-handed. Regardless of what you might say, some of us will touch, feel, and examine everything, and then walk away without even asking for the price. Heaven forbid you scold us! The next time we pass by, we will bypass you without so much as a glance. We are who we are. Sellers are plenty. Annoy us and see what happens. That’s on you!
3. Those of us who criticize and belittle your merchandise just to force a discount. Since there are so many options, we sometimes point out flaws in your products just to get a chance to lower the price. Now, go ahead and get angry and see what happens! We will simply walk away without buying. We are the customers, and you must adapt to us. If you don't want to, pack up your business.
4. Those of us who have no intention of buying but just want to know the price. Sometimes we get tired of just looking at your items without knowing how much they cost. So, don't be surprised if one day we walk in acting like real buyers just to ask around for prices. If you offer to lower the price so we can buy, we will boldly tell you that we just wanted to know the price so we can plan for a future purchase. If you get mad, that's your problem. What's wrong with us knowing the price of your goods, even if we aren't buying today? If you can't tolerate us, quit the business and see if we won't just go elsewhere. We run this show, my friend!
5. Those of us who visit your business just to loiter and pass the time. Sometimes we get bored sitting in one place. So, on certain days, we just feel like going to Mlimani City or Kariakoo to kill time. If you have a bench in your shop, I'll sit down to rest when I get tired. If I notice you staring at me suspiciously, I'll casually ask for the price of your items just to calm you down. We customers have it so good! If you show that you are angry, well, we just won't come back next time!
My dear reader, how do you see us customers? Are you ready to do business with us? Seriously, nowadays, if you bring your personal stress into your business, you'll end up selling to yourself. We have attitudes for days. We decide whether to buy today or some other time. Woe unto you if you speak ill of us! This is the beauty of a free market in a capitalist world. In essence, you the seller are also a commodity. If you lose your composure and start yelling at us, we won't buy your things. We will boycott you and walk away. You must coddle us.
My dear reader, this week's reflection used my friend’s example merely as a starting point. You can expand this reflection by looking at various fields outside of business.
The core message here is that there is no job involving people that is free from inconveniences. Whatever project you are planning to set up, are you prepared to deal with the nuisances and challenges? Are you ready to avoid foul language and swallow your pride to pamper us? The moment you talk back to us, off we go!
I wish you a wonderful week ahead. See you again next Monday. Thank you so much for reading my reflection.
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©️ Leonard Bakize, 2026
June 8, 2026
+255 755 643 590
eternalword2018@gmail.com
These articles will later be edited into book chapters. Get ready to grab my books for a more relaxed read.