I don’t want this to be a political discussion of candidates and parties but am curious as to how other folks view small businesses and service providers who make their political preferences known loud and clear.
I respect everyone’s right to vote how they wish but I’ve always thought politics should be kept out of the business realm. It’s an understatement to say that we are very much a country divided along political lines these days and that tensions are running high ahead of Tuesday’s election. Many of us feel strongly that one option would be a much better choice than the other. I know I am following it too closely (ha!) and definitely feel vested in the outcome.
So, I’m always a little taken aback when a business in my area will put on a big public display supporting a particular candidate as they probably do risk losing some business by doing so. I know there are a few businesses that I’ve chosen not to frequent over the years because I do have choices and the owners of the business openly profess viewpoints sharply in contrast to what I believe. Again, I do respect their right to an opinion but I’ll vote with my dollars as well as that is my right.
I’ve been going to the same dentist for 15 years and am in the midst of some dental work that needs to be completed plus a check-up in the next month. He knows our mouths and he does good work but he’s definitely not the only game in town. I don’t have dental insurance so for our family of 4, we personally wind up spending a fair amount as both husband and I have old fillings breaking down resulting in new fillings and crowns. Not cheap. It doesn’t surprise me that the dentist has opposing political leanings from me based on my getting to know him a little over the years. He has signs for his presidential candidate on his business property. Ok, I don’t like them but fine, I guess. / Well, driving by his office today, I see he has posted a very inflammatory message regarding the candidate he is against (my choice!) on the message board that is part of his business’ street front sign. It pissed me off big time. I do draw a line between promoting your own candidate and making disparaging, inflammatory comments regarding another candidate in a public way.
So, regardless of which side of the political fence you sit on, how do you view and handle such things? I’m curious to hear a range of opinions. Maybe I’ll calm down with some time but I’m a bit taken aback right now.
I still don’t get why people choose to mix business and politics. I’d rather not know.
Thoughts? Have you had this experience? If you won your own business, what are your thoughts?
I agree that a business owner has the right to express his or her political views, but if they do that and I don’t like them, I will (and do) take my business elsewhere.
Sure, as I stated, everyone has a right to their opinion. And I have a right to choose where to spend my money. There’s freedom of speech and there is good sound business practice, IMO.
I don’t think it needs to turn into a political discussion, @thumper1, as I feel both sides could feel the same way and find themselves in a similar situation. It’s not specific to a party or candidate. There are strong feelings on both sides.
I think it’s an unsound business practice to advertise one’s political preferences in that way because it might turn off some patients or clients or customers. And I agree also that this thread is not a political discussion; it’s a discussion of business practices.
I agree with you doschicos. I am all for freedom of speech, but if a small business owner puts his/her political views on display then he/she can expect to lose some business.
I personally consider it very unprofessional to display political beliefs in this way. I also consider it unprofessional to discuss politics in the office. JMO.
My favorite mechanic has a sign in front of his shop supporting not-my-candidate. I am disappointed but I don’t know any other mechanics so he won’t lose my business.
I would have to seriously consider changing doctors if they supported not-my-candidate (openly) for many reasons.
If any of the places I frequent had an inflammatory message, that would be the end of my business. Period. I can find someone else no matter what it is.
Luckily around here, things have been pretty politically neutral.
I totally agree that this does not have to be political. I, personally, would keep politics out of a small business because it’s just bad business practice. I would not object too much to using a small business that put a sign for the opposing candidate, but would absolutely draw the line at inflammatory messages against the other side. I can’t think of any business that I could not give up if they were so inclined. I am all for free speech and personal opinion as long as it doesn’t cross the lines and resort to insults and intimidation. Something I have unfortunately seen in this election cycle. I am currently in the process of selecting a new snow plowing company over the behavior of their employees.
While I don’t think anyone has the right to tell a business owner what is appropriate, the same way I find those who say entertainers and athletes shouldn’t express their opinions, that all they want to do is listen to them or watch them play to be on the wrong side of the argument (if you don’t want to hear an athlete speak out, or an entertainer, listen to their albums and ignore what they say publicly, and if they do it on the stage or field, don’t go to the performance/game shrug), I also think personally that they can’t expect to do that without their being a cost. Would I boycott my dentist or my doctor or my mechanic because of who he expressed support for? Depends on whether it was let’s say supporting our current congressman (who I don’t like and disagree with) versus lets say supporting someone whose opinions and such I find to be odious. It also might depend on how well they do their job, if the mechanic does great work and also is very honest and gives good value, I might ignore something, but it would also have to be a)that whoever/whatever they are supporting isn’t that bad (for example, espousing white supremacist crap) and b)they are head and shoulders above others around.
I don’t really understand it, though, a business requires clientele, and why turn away business? Given how tough it is to run a business, even with things like ‘firmly held beliefs’, religious or otherwise, to me there is a time and a place to do things, and hurting my business like that would have to be over something I felt truly strongly about, and to be honest putting a campaign sign out for a political candidate (for me) wouldn’t be one of those things, it would have to be a very personal issue, and even then I likely would find other ways to make it count, donating to a cause, or doing it outside my business sphere…not to mention that expresing my politics in my business life wouldn’t do anything, either.
I suspect in the end, it’s all a wash-out. Those who lose business due to their vocal and visual beliefs, likely also gain business from those who support that candidate.
But yes, I have decided not to give someone my business based a phone call I heard as I walked in his small retail store. Do I think it will hurt his business? Probably not, but given my options of taking my business elsewhere, I will if I can. I suspect he has people that prefer to give him their business because he has been vocal about who he supports.
DH is a dentist, follows politics closely, and is very opinionated in his private life. He has never had political signs at his office. He only discusses politics with long-term patients he knows he can do that with. I’m sure he’s had to bite his tongue a few times, but he knows that you don’t risk your business by offending or alienating patients.
If I owned a small business, I would not mix business with politics. I recently saw Bill Rancic of The Apprentice promoting his book. He was asked about Trump and he declined to say anything because he said he wants supporters of all candidates to buy his book. I respect that answer.
Now to answer your other question. If someone has different views from me, I would normally ignore it and move on. However, since I live in an area where I can probably take my business elsewhere, I am inclined to think, depending on the level of obnoxiousness, I would take my business elsewhere.
I believe in tolerance. However there seems to be a faction that is pushing the conversation in a direction with which I strongly disagree. At times I feel my tolerance can be viewed as acceptance and I am beginning to question my passiveness. Therefore, I confess I am choosing to sever ties and personally boycott businesses which support people who partake (in my opinion) toxic speech.
@88jm19 I believe in tolerance as well in general and that is why I am feeling conflicted enough to post my query here. On the one hand, he does a good job. But, I do feel he crossed a line I don’t feel comfortable with. If it was just the yard signs, I might ignore it. However, taking the time to change out the letters on his message board to mud sling with toxic speech as you say, I have lost respect for him. Both my college aged child still utilize his office for their dental care when home and I know they would not go back if I told them about this. There are starting to be issues I just don’t feel tolerant of any longer.
@teriwtt I suspect you are right that any clients lost will be replaced by other clients who support his views. In my area, such views might have an edge right now over my own. Again, it’s not so much one’s political stance I object to but the ugly, toxic rhetoric.
Thanks to all posting. It’s been interesting to hear the opinions and I welcome any others, agreeing or disagreeing.
For those of you saying you would take your business elsewhere, would you state your reason why or just slink away? In the case of a medical practice, it does require asking for records if we decide to move the family to someone new.
This. Personally, I find it ridiculous that someone would would stop visiting a business because of the owners political views. If their political views aren’t affecting your what goods/services you are receiving, what difference does it make? What are you trying to accomplish?
as a small business owner, i would have NO problem telling my dentist that I intended to take my business
elsewhere, and would pass that information onto others if they asked, IF he was stupid enough to post a blatantly political sign outside his office.
What you SHOULD do is post how you feel on his Yelp page.
He’ll quickly learn a lesson in what NOT to do.
Well, @fractalmstr I do believe in tolerance, up to a point. I also believe in wanting to have personal respect for those whose goods and services I purchase. Again, it’s not who he is voting for but the way he is choosing to express his support. Where would you draw the line personally? What would be your personal limits or do you have none?
The first amendment states that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech. It doesn’t state, imply, or certainly guarantee that there are no consequences to exercising one’s freedom of speech. So yes, business owners and service providers have the right to say whatever they’d like … but we, as consumers, have the right to choose to spend our money elsewhere if we find that speech objectionable. Or if we don’t like their location. Or if we think their skills are slipping. Or if we don’t like the music they play. Etc. Why not? * It’s your money.* You can choose to spend it wherever you want - which is another form of freedom of expression.
I believe the OP has made clear that she has no problem doing business with people who hold opposing views. She’s talking about something else entirely:
That is NOT the same thing as being intolerant of the viewpoints of others.
Well, driving by his office today, I see he has posted a very inflammatory message regarding the candidate he is against (my choice!) on the message board that is part of his business’ street front sign. It pissed me off big time. I do draw a line between promoting your own candidate and making disparaging, inflammatory comments regarding another candidate in a public way.