Part 2 of a 5-part series on the Golden Rules for Making Money, as set forth in P.T. Barnum's 1880 guidebook Art of Getting Money
"Politeness and civility are the best capital ever invested in a business," writes P.T. Barnum in Art of Money Getting. "Large stores, gilt signs, flaming advertisements will all prove unavailing if you or your employees treat your patrons abruptly."
Politeness begins with fair pricing, Barnum says.
"Men who drive sharp bargains with their customers, acting as if they never expected to see them again, will not be mistaken. They will never see them again as customers. People don't like to pay and get kicked also."
Civility shows in how a business treats not just friendly customers, but the customers from hell.
Barnum tells of an employee who wanted to punch a rude customer.
"He is the man who pays, while we receive," Barnum told the employee. "You must, therefore, put up with his bad manners."
The employee agreed—and asked for a raise.
