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===The [[Coronavirus]] mask example=== | ===The [[Coronavirus]] mask example=== | ||
A simple example: say you want to ensure all your customers to wear face masks in your shop, by means of a sign.<ref>All this notwithstanding the [[JC]]’s aversion to [[signs]], which are by their nature cowardly, [[passive-aggressive]] and hectoring means of influencing behaviour, but still.</ref> | A simple example: say you want to ensure all your customers to wear face masks in your shop, by means of a sign.<ref>All this notwithstanding the [[JC]]’s aversion to [[signs]], which are by their nature cowardly, [[passive-aggressive]] and hectoring means of influencing behaviour, but still.</ref> | ||
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But your ''second-order'' object, is to comply with regulatory guidance, which is to make sure they all wear masks. Some customers might think this guidance idiotic. Others might think it essential to the continued progress of ''Homo Sapiens'' on planet Earth. It is not the [[JC]]’s goal to rush in where [[tiresome]] angels fear to tread, so he will stay out of the debate. | But your ''second-order'' object, is to comply with regulatory guidance, which is to make sure they all wear masks. Some customers might think this guidance idiotic. Others might think it essential to the continued progress of ''Homo Sapiens'' on planet Earth. It is not the [[JC]]’s goal to rush in where [[tiresome]] angels fear to tread, so he will stay out of the debate. | ||
So how do you write your sign? Consider four means of skinning the same cat: | [[File:Rectal thermometer.jpg|250px|thumb|right|When it is important to be the first one to be tested]]So how do you write your sign? Consider four means of skinning the same cat: | ||
====Shockers==== | ====Shockers==== | ||
“'''Please do not enter without a face mask.'''”: This sets up the worst possible scenario: that all customers are barred from entry, ''unless they overcome their prohibition'' by meeting certain conditions. “YOU ARE NOT REALLY WELCOME HERE,” screeches this sign, “EVEN IF YOU DO FULFIL THESE CONDITIONS”. This ''assumes'' potential customers, far from being beloved members of your extended family, welcome to sit by your hearth at any time without judgement, are TRANSGRESSORS IN NEED OF CORRECTION. Many will accept the invitation to keep walking, even if they can meet the conditions. Even if they ''are already'' meeting the conditions. Those who do enter will feel chided and will be less favorably disposed as a result. | “'''Please do not enter without a face mask.'''”: This sets up the worst possible scenario: that all customers are barred from entry, ''unless they overcome their prohibition'' by meeting certain conditions. “YOU ARE NOT REALLY WELCOME HERE,” screeches this sign, “EVEN IF YOU DO FULFIL THESE CONDITIONS”. This ''assumes'' potential customers, far from being beloved members of your extended family, welcome to sit by your hearth at any time without judgement, are TRANSGRESSORS IN NEED OF CORRECTION. Many will accept the invitation to keep walking, even if they can meet the conditions. Even if they ''are already'' meeting the conditions. Those who do enter will feel chided and will be less favorably disposed as a result. | ||
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===The social distancing seat example=== | ===The social distancing seat example=== | ||
[[File:Heathrow social distancing.jpg| | [[File:Heathrow social distancing.jpg|250px|thumb|right|That's not how you do it LHR]]A classic spotted at Heathrow during the later phases of the Coronavirus lockdown.“COME NO CLOSER, REVOLTING PERSON,” it says. “KEEP AWAY FROM ME, YOU FILTHY, DISEASE-RIDDEN FREAK”. Now it may well be that you ''are'' a filthy, disease-ridden freak. Statistically, ''someone'' in the terminal building will be, even at this late stage in the hysteria. I mean pandemic. | ||
But is that any way to talk to paying customers who, fresh from being frisked and told to remove belts, jackets and sneakers, have just slogged through seven miles of meandering pungent duty-free scrublands? How about — oooh, I don’t know, “Feel free to take a load off, either side!” | But is that any way to talk to paying customers who, fresh from being frisked and told to remove belts, jackets and sneakers, have just slogged through seven miles of meandering pungent duty-free scrublands? How about — oooh, I don’t know, “Feel free to take a load off, either side!” | ||