The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-05-31
SOMETHING THAT MEN INDoRsE.
An Elementary Lesson on the Value of a
Business-Man's Minutes.

This article is not given the above title
simply to catch the attention Of and in
sure reading by the opposite sex, al
though the same instinctt that prompted
our first parents T. eat Of the fruit that
had not tempted them until it was for
bidden viii perhaps induce some men
to read it, SAYS Helen NJ. Winslow in
the Boston Gl0be. In that case | am
sure Of a hearty chorus of ''amens."
Women, even business-wOmen. have
a habit Of going into the Office of a
businessman upon some undoubtedly
worthy eTrand which they might dis
pose of in five minutes and departing
leave behind them pleasant memories
and complimentary opinions. Too
often, alas! they accept the proffered
char and proceed TO unfold a tale
longer than whole play of Shaks-
peare, which properly might be CLASH
fled as another COMEDY of errors"
They stay until the genial smile of
welcome on the face of the business
man fades to a weary and hopeless eX-
preston, and then to a gradually COM
bative and belligerent one. which
his wife would recognize. but which
terested with their own story to notice.
Perhaps he turns to his desk, or picks
up a newspaper, or eagerly mods to a
fresh arrival in the office as if he would
speak. But still they stay on, Obliv-
ious of the fact that they have outstaid
their welcome. and have developed, in
the mind Of their victim, from pleas
ant, intelligent ladies into '.first-class
borcs." They have evidently come to
stay.
Within a week ! have seen three in
stances Of this: One woman who was
seeking place on the press and ex-
pressed herself as willing TO do any
kind of work and be expeditions and
businesS-like withal staid in an edi-
to4'ial office two hours and thirty-five
minutes talking of her own private af-
fairs, while the patient and long-suf-
fcring editor worked far into the night
to pay for his forbearance. Another
woman went to Il man who had an inn
pOrtant matter Of business which must
be ATTENDED TO within the two hours
at noon when he was free from other
cares and responsibilities to transact a
matter which shouldhaye kept him ten
and talked and talked and talked and
talked and talked and talked. The
gentleman fose rs a sign for her to 90.
but she still babbled on, like Tenny-
sons brook, until it was too late. and
his time and opportunity We're lost
Again, two business people met to set
tie certain accounts which would re-
qUire less than half an hour. 4 woman
entered on an cmand and, sitting
down. made visit of an hour and a
half, interrupting important business
and throwing behind the affairs of
other people fully two hours.
Now, women ought to understand
that whenever they do this sort Of
thing they rob their victims Of what is
often valuable time: and with most
business people time is money.
Men seldom do these things. or if
they are inclined to their busy brethren
have hundred ways Of getting rid Of
them; but a businessman is a GOOD
deal at the mercy Of his woman callers
if he is a gentleman. Women should
remember this. and, even in the case
of friends, learn TO see upon entering
an Office whether lis occupant is busy
or not. If she sees her own interest
she will limit her stay to fifteen min
utcs at the utmost, unless hard pressed.
Just how far il is the duty Of a man
or woman eithcr-to let an out
slider take his valuable time from busi-
ness affairs, Is, in my mind, question.
/ think none OF us ought to sacrifice a
whole morning or an entire afternoon
to the polite duty Of being bored to
death by people whose woes we can
not help, whose affairs do not interest
Us. and between rs and whom there
is not strong bond of friendship or
common interest. And ! believe the
editor, publisher, or other business
man whom / had been persistent
" talking blind" for any considera-
bic period would be justified in polite
ly and with his most fascinating man
ner, calling my attention to the door.
But until this fashion is adopted by
urbane and courteous businessmen
generally women must learn 10 see for
themselves when there is the slightest
danger Of being de trop. And by Civ
inc evidence in this way that she has
some idea of the value of time and of
the relative Importance of other peo-
ple's affairs she will have raised the
Sta-uard of busi ness-men'S estimate Of
women and demonstrated her own
right to the Ierm-''a good business
woman"