The Help...it's all relative.
I freely admit to anyone that I am and always have been the help. Even though as a child of the '60's we had daily household help, my chosen careers have always made me the help by default.
Never fool yourself that when you perform any type of service, in someone's eye you are still the help, only in a different income bracket. Decorator, Realtor, attorney or accountant, your doctor, your favorite sales person at Bergdorf or the server at your favorite restaurant is the help. This is not to say that the individual receiving the service considers the provider less than themselves, but there is typically a line...a distance that is usually maintained.
Having sold and/or decorated many very fine homes up and down the east coast, I always tried to maintain that safe distance. As a famous decorator once said, we cover the dining room chairs but we are never invited to sit on them. Certainly there are exceptions, but these are rare in my experience.
So the next time you get a bit too close to a client it may be wise to remember your place. You are providing a service...you are the help. It's all relative. Just make sure the bill is paid on delivery.
As always...xx.DT
The wonderful watercolor illustration is from one the iconic firm of Parrish Hadley.
Never fool yourself that when you perform any type of service, in someone's eye you are still the help, only in a different income bracket. Decorator, Realtor, attorney or accountant, your doctor, your favorite sales person at Bergdorf or the server at your favorite restaurant is the help. This is not to say that the individual receiving the service considers the provider less than themselves, but there is typically a line...a distance that is usually maintained.
Having sold and/or decorated many very fine homes up and down the east coast, I always tried to maintain that safe distance. As a famous decorator once said, we cover the dining room chairs but we are never invited to sit on them. Certainly there are exceptions, but these are rare in my experience.
So the next time you get a bit too close to a client it may be wise to remember your place. You are providing a service...you are the help. It's all relative. Just make sure the bill is paid on delivery.
As always...xx.DT
The wonderful watercolor illustration is from one the iconic firm of Parrish Hadley.
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