I just touched down in Vegas and if there is one thing that I have learned … is that you take your time getting down to baggage claim. It is NUTS down there, and they cram 4-6 flights on one – so you get 4-5 people deep. So, I thought I’d take a few moments and blog … it is a great way to unwind, no?

Okay, I promised you two experiences, and here they are … getting what you want without being a jerk.

There are two examples, because even though you always get what you want, it isn’t always the best – but that’s okay. What’s vital is that you stand up for your principles and beliefs…

Example One: I don’t know what it is about where I live, but business owners seem to be afraid of the American Express card. I have a pet-peeve that I will not do business with a company that doesn’t take American Express. Why? In my view, they are a second rate company. And you can’t argue this point with me – because I will always win. Well, that’s not true. I was wrong once. I married my first wife.

I got my hair cut this morning from the only hair salon that takes American Express (or so said the receptionist on Saturday when I booked the appointment). The salon was nice, the service was good, and I was pleased. I went to pay … and was told they don’t take American Express.

“But that’s the reason I came here – because you take it. I called Saturday and that was my first question. And I was told you accepted it.”

The response? “You must have misunderstood, we don’t take that card. It is too difficult to keep track of all of their changes.”

So, let me understand this. It is too difficult for you, the business owner to keep track of the changes, so you make things harder on me, the customer. I then explained that I wouldn’t be doing business with them in the future because of their policy as I wrote a check.

“I’m sorry you feel that way”, was the response from the owner.

I left.

Stay tuned for “Part Two”…

Due to a mechanical problem on the plane – it was late getting here, so I am spending a big ten minutes in Cinci. The story will have to wait until I get to the hotel tonight. Things are starting to heat up…

I made my first layover in Atlanta … aka Hot-lanta – one of the few airports that I love. Very easy to get from terminal to terminal and people are so friendly here. Even if you just have that “I’m lost” look, people stop to ask if you need help – and I don’t mean the employees of the airport – just people. That’s cool.

I’m cranking out some affiliate pages and getting ready to launch a pretty big site. Life is good.

Getting back on the plane … this time, headed to Cinci. When I get there, time permitting, I’ll share an experience this morning of “getting what you want without being a jerk”.

We’ve all witnessed “jerks” screaming to management to get their own way … this one is a much more civilized approach.

…. and that’s always good.

So far so good … sitting on the plane in Charlotte, North Carolina ready to take off. No snow storms like last time. We are seeing some good fluxes with Google that I am chasing down. My arrival in Vegas is set for 6pm Pacific. I have stops in Atlanta and Cincinnati. Should be a killer week! Stay tuned …