i live down south and keep seeing local business owners posting in local groups pleading people to come buy shit at their stores prior to this winter storm because if they have to close for a few days it’s apparently detrimental for them. like they’re entitled to exist. in any other context this behavior would be considered desperate and begging. but we’re conditioned to think small business tyrants are some class above us all who are entitled to not have to work a job like the rest of us. worst case scenario they lose their business and that’s what happens, and working people are conditioned to feel sorry for them. “please don’t let me become underpaid by some asshole exactly like myself!!!”
One of the things that really made me sour on small businesses was a local coffee i shop i worked at 10 years ago or whatever. It had a great local reputation, wasnt huge, in fact it was REALLY damn small, but people loved it. Been in the same spot for 40 years, maybe 50 now.
The kid (grandkid?) worked there with me when I was working. We both made hardly anything, and the place didnt accept credit card tips, only cash, so we were lucky to get $5 a person at the end of the shift.
One day I asked the owners relative when the last time people had gotten a raise was, and he legit had no idea.
Really rubbed me the wrong way.