<body>I don't put up with it. I say something to the client like "if you are interested in hearing my explanation about what your piano requires, you will need to make your child be quiet because I can't even hear myself think, let alone explain it to you." If they do nothing. I will just walk out. I don't want customers like that. Like it or leave it... I'd rather leave it. Jerry Groot RPT www.grootpiano.com ----- Original Message ----- From: da88ve@gmail.com To: pianotech@ptg.org Sent:Fri Jan 4 10:21:43 UTC 2013 Subject: [pianotech] undisciplined kids    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 </body>