One of Barmy's subsequently aborted experiments was the gathering of rents in the office. Rather than tour the market going from stall to stall to collect rent from traders, Barmy expected them to leave their stalls unattended to go and queue outside the office waiting their turn to pay.I'm with Barmy of course. Having to leave your nice warm office to save the peasants being obliged to desert stock and possible customers to cough up the cash is unacceptable. I doubt if the traders saw it that way, so may have been less than pleased to then wait to assist in an arithmetic lesson.
Once admitted to Barmy's sanctum, they would be faced with having to pay their fees to his rent boy. The boy Dodger would collect the rent, work out how much change to give, under Barmy's tutelage, and write a receipt.
I trust the entire market appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the lad's education.
9 comments:
Did he ever collect any monies unsupervised do we know?
Oh yes. I'll be putting up a post on that very topic tomorrow.
Golly gosh Marketeer! you're good, very good, the reason why few are commenting is because you are too close to the truth and people are worried that these matters are rather more serious than dirty toilets and an inconsistent priority system.
The priority system seems to be about prioritising the biggest tits... so why don't the mangement move out of their office and give themselves a prime spot somewhere in the market...
Yes, these topics are as close to the bone as you can get. Respect Marketeer, respect!
Thanks very much, but I'm just warming up.
I had my rent collected numerous times by unsupervised said boy. On the subject, my accountant also appreciated the 'doodles' that could be found on my official VAT rent receipts and of course the 'babyish' numbers that were outlined several times and were a constant reminder as what kind of management we were dealing with.
I feel ashamed to say, but I ended up feeling slightly resentful towards little Oliver as he grew too big for his boots (being the keen student of his shadowy master).
I remember one time having my stall scrutinised by this 7 year old in front of the boss- 'So what do you think needs improving?' Humiliating- wouldn't even begin to describe it, bloody ridiculous might.
I think the way this boy was 'used' is shameful, I would never exploit my kids in such a way, nor give them the responsibility of handling such large amounts of money unsupervised. They would also never be rude, dismissive or abrupt to their elders.
In all my years at the market I can say that in the past year I've never witnessed more ridiculous and unprofessional behaviour in my entire working life.
Jack Black
Very well said indeed Jack Black! :-)
Isn't Barmy a little like the Roman emperor Caligula?
Caligula was prone to elevating totally unsuitable people to positions of power, even promoting a horse to the senate.
He ordered the execution of his most faithful general, the leader of the Pretorian guard, on the flimsiest of excuses.
Cruel and vindictive, he revelled in humiliating his victims, especially those that were respected by others.
His speeches to the Senate lasted for hours without a break, often laced with self praise and extravagant claims about his achievements.
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