customer is always right

[KorroddyDude]

Is the customer always right?  No.  However, I don't think it should be as one-sided as some here are suggesting it should be.  In almost any other relationship where one person is paying another, it's the person doing the paying that has the upper hand in the relationship.  And I'm not suggesting that it should be like that in martial arts.  But at the same time, the person doing the paying should at least have some pull in the relationship other than the ability to "leave if they don't like it."

[aurik]

1 hour ago, KorroddyDude said:

Is the customer always right?  No.  However, I don't think it should be as one-sided as some here are suggesting it should be.  In almost any other relationship where one person is paying another, it's the person doing the paying that has the upper hand in the relationship.  And I'm not suggesting that it should be like that in martial arts.  But at the same time, the person doing the paying should at least have some pull in the relationship other than the ability to "leave if they don't like it."

Exactly.  A certain amount of flexibility and diplomacy should be expected.   Everyone's situation is slightly different, and understanding their situation definitely helps with the instructor/student and provider/client relationship.  It is certainly within your right to treat everyone the same and be firm with everyone.  However, keep in mind also that the customers literally pay the bills (whether you're looking to turn a profit or not), so you need to weigh how close you toe the line with each student (and/or parent).  Fortunately as an assistant instructor who doesn't deal with the financial side of things, that's something I don't need to worry about.

[KorroddyDude]

6 minutes ago, aurik said:

Exactly.  A certain amount of flexibility and diplomacy should be expected.   Everyone's situation is slightly different, and understanding their situation definitely helps with the instructor/student and provider/client relationship.  It is certainly within your right to treat everyone the same and be firm with everyone.  However, keep in mind also that the customers literally pay the bills (whether you're looking to turn a profit or not), so you need to weigh how close you toe the line with each student (and/or parent).  Fortunately as an assistant instructor who doesn't deal with the financial side of things, that's something I don't need to worry about.

Right, the only entities I know of who are in relationships where they are the ones getting paid while having the upper hand are pimps and the IRS.  Two things that no sensei would ever want to be compared to (at least I hope not).

Edited October 23 by KorroddyDude