Naivete – well less be honest, rationale stupidity
We drank the kool aid in the 1960’s when newly minted automobiles broke down before 50,000 miles. Housing roofs leaked at the 1st major storm. Refrigerators shutdown and defrosted while under warranty. American quality control was an international joke. The Japanese and Germans flooded the auto market with cars which didn’t creak, had air tight windows, and engines which ran and ran and ran.
The trade unions pledged a quality revolution.. more training of employees. Uncle Sam installed quality standards. Contractors created warranties.” We stand behind our products” became the refrain”. Oh yes, new, customer friendly return policies… bring it back to the store- no questions asked ( but make sure you have a receipt).
We drank the Kool Aide … agreeing to a home contractor’s pledge of a pre purchase inspection… a day before settlement. Smiles, handshakes all around.
How long is the list?? How much reading time to you have: Here’s a few: a door missing – yes a door missing! a nonoperative garage door! non functioning air conditioning! shower heads not installed! misrepresentation of financial terms! incomplete banking arrangements! etc etc etc.
Accepted practices- apparently. the buying public generally says -mediocre quality is ok. Fix the problems when you have time ( a recipe for ongoing deadlines which are not met). And so it goes with cars, appliances, customer service from bankers, hospitals who are driven by profit rather than patient care.
Why? Why do we tolerate 2nd rate performance?. Perhaps we should look in the mirror. Do we, as individuals care enough to do our very best. Or just enough to collect a pay check? Can we look our friends in the eye and proclaim today’s work effort meets with the gold seal of approval? Be honest.
When did we begin handing our “participation awards” given to teens for merely showing up – not winning or excelling? Mediocrity begins here. How about ‘perfect attendance awards”?- if you can breathe and walk you get an award . Never mind your excellence of effort and participation?
Reflect- if our fore fathers did just enough when building log houses? Winter time death on their door step. Cutting corners – not an option. Only the best (and luckiest survived)