[pianotech] undisciplined kids

[David Love]

Yes, or just stop talking, smile and wait.  They'll get it.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of johnparham at piano88.com
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 11:47 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] undisciplined kids

David,

Almost always, I start speaking in a little after tone so the parent can't hear me. The parent has always ended the madness by taking charge of their child.

-John Parham

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [pianotech] undisciplined kids
> From: David Nereson <da88ve at gmail.com>
> Date: Fri, January 04, 2013 4:52 pm
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
>
>
> The customer calls and wants an assessment of their piano, how much 
> work it will need, what condition it's in, how much it will cost.  So 
> you go and do your estimate and the dreaded 7 year old comes in and 
> starts pounding on the keys.  Then you call the parent to give them 
> your assessment, and while you're trying to talk to them, they *allow 
> the kid to keep pounding away on the keys.  They make absolutely no 
> effort to make the kid stop *so you can hear yourself think, hear the 
> customer, and speak in a normal tone of voice.  I just don't get it!  
> ("Oh, we can't stifle his creativity; we can't interrupt his precious expression of musical feeling.").
>      I glance back and forth between the client and the kid, giving 
> every possible body language indication that it's *really *hindering 
> my ability to communicate with them and remain professional.  But no, 
> he's just an innocent kid; it would be inhumane to make him stop. Today I almost reached
> over to sweep his arms away from the keys, but stopped myself.   I just
> don't get it.  If I were the insurance adjuster or tax accountant, or 
> even Grandpa, would they let the kid bang away like that when we're 
> trying to talk?  AAArrrggghhh!!@#%#$%^#^#@!!!!!
>     --David Nereson, RPT