Living Your Life Through Chinese Handcuffs

I am often surprised at what works. When I am searching for a solution sometime I overlook the most simple and obvious solutions. Not because they won’t work, but because they are not in my current line of thought.

Chinese Handcuffs

I hope everyone at one point has experienced Chinese Handcuffs. At first glance, they look deceptively innocent. A small woven tub, with each end having a slightly larger taper than rest of the woven tub. The opening on the tub is about the diameter of an index finger. Humans being curious often stick a finger in each end of the tub. Getting it out is an entirely different proposition. Most people who realize that their fingers won’t come out, just pull harder, this only makes the Chinese handcuffs cinch down more on the fingers.

Getting your fingers out employs a method that at first thought defies logic. To get your fingers out you must press your finger in further to relax the woven handcuffs, then twist and pull your finger out.

Life and Chinese Handcuffs

Jon’s Restaurant Problem

Jon at Business Evolutionist recently posted a story about consulting work he did at a restaurant. The problem was poor service and slow business. As Jon said, “It took me all of 2 minutes to diagnose the problem.”

The problem was the servers had to many tables, stretching them thin. Each table received the minimal amount of service and I’m sure their tips indicated that.

Jon suggested reducing the table load to four or five tables. The servers threatened to quit. Their ultimatum was either Jon goes or they go.

At first glance, they have a point: If the number tables are cut in half, then that means, they are making 50 percent less in tips each night. After a week of tips, 50 percent adds up quickly. Fair enough.

Business is slow and tips are at a premium, especially for servers who are making near minimum wage (as most servers are). Say the restaurant, reduces the server load from eight tables to four tables. Service skyrockets, tips plummet.

Slowly as the word gets around, customers realize this isn’t such a bad restaurant after all. They tell their friends who in turn tell their friends. Soon the restaurant has the problem of being busy too busy. Because of the great service, the average tip left has nearly tripled, and now instead of being busy during just breakfast, lunch and dinner they are busy all the time.

The Sun and the Wind

The Sun and the Wind were talking one day, when a person walked by wearing a coat. The Wind seeing this person wearing the coat turns to the Sun and says, “I bet I can blow his coat off” the Sun says “Oh ya?” let me see you.

The sky darkens, thunder rumbles and the wind begins to gust. With each gust, the wind blows harder and with each gust – the coat is hugged tighter.

The Wind gives up and says, “That person has his coat on so tight, nobody can get it off.” The Sun says, “Let me give it a try.”

The Sun shines warm vibrant rays at this person. The clouds and wind dissipate, leaving a beautiful warm sunny day. The coat comes off and the person walks away.