It does seem like a bad idea for a small business owner to display political viewpoints that could alienate some customers and therefore reduce the market share that the business could get. Seems like the only “safe” political viewpoints to display would be ones that are overwhelmingly supported among potential customers (but then there is little point in promoting them) or those which are obvious given the nature of the business itself (e.g. a business selling X as its main product or service displaying a sign against a proposal that would ban or increase taxes on X).
I remember a couple of years ago I was having my HVAC serviced; the person sent out to do it got way out of hand when it came to discussing his political views… totally unsolicited. He should have gotten the clue when I sat there with a dumb-founded look on my face and refused to agree with anything he said. First of all, it was so incomprehensibly rude to take up MY time in MY home to do this… seriously, he spent about 20 minutes after the appointment (which was charged per service and not by time). I vowed to never use that company again and probably should have called the owner and complained, but I had other options.
Secondly, there is a health-food store in the old town we lived in that had scripture verses taped to the only front door to the store, as well as others less noticeably throughout the small store. I really didn’t want to be evangelized when I was going to the health-food store, so I quit going there - I had other options.
Third, back in March, I happened to have my annual physical the day of our primaries and I was my doc’s last patient of the day. He very genuinely and thoughtfully picked my brain on which candidate to vote for, saying he had not made up his mind yet and had just a couple of hours to do so. As a small business owner who is the president of his synagogue, he had various feelings about many of the candidates in the primaries, in both parties. But he was so respectful and polite about how he broached the topic with me, that had I found out he voted for someone I would not have, it wouldn’t have bothered me. We actually had a very nice conversation.
Fourth, as for a patient sitting in a waiting room ranting about one or another candidate, physician’s offices have been known to discharge patients for behaviors far less offensive, so if I was in a waiting room and another patient made their views loud and clear within earshot of everyone else, I would complain. These days, so many doctor’s offices have signs up in their offices telling patients to turn off their cell phones, I wouldn’t doubt if someone really abused that request, they wouldn’t be asked to leave. I have indeed complained about patients in waiting rooms who have been talking loudly on the phone about private things I did not need or want to hear, such as all their ongoing medical issues with whichever relative happens to be available. I remember sitting in my dermatologist’s office once - I’d been called back in due to some questionable biopsy results and the last thing I needed to hear as I was worrying, was all the things this 70-year old woman (who obviously had hearing issues) was worried about. These are just rude behaviors - people need to learn to keep their private lives private when in public places, no matter what their political affiliation or beliefs. People sitting in doctor’s offices are there for a reason, which, unless it’s just for a routine physical, can be stress-inducing; there is no reason to be on a phone unless it’s an emergency, and if it is, you can step out and take the call, and let the front desk know you have an emergency.
100% never mix politics and business. (IMO)
" do you think your dentist should be allowed to deny a patient service if that patient sat in his waiting room loudly lambasting a candidate he supports (to the point where his interpretation is that the patient’s comments were inflammatory) or expresses a position on a social issue he disagrees with?"
Dentists and other businesses have that right, to deny patients, based on something like this. Businesses cannot discriminate where such discrimination is illegal (ie race, gender, religion, etc), but with a freedom of speech issue like this the dentist or other businessman has every right to ask them to find another provider.
For me the line is not about supporting a candidate, it is about how, too. I have had plenty of providers I don’t share a political vision with, they tend to be more conservative than I am, but have had plenty of good conversation (dentists of course have an added burden, kind of unfair talking politics when the patient can’t answer! lol) even though I disagreed. If i had to sum up the line, it would come down to where the business person went from being respectful of others beliefs into the real of rudeness or obnoxiousness, and basically would be the same way I would deal with a rude or disrespectful business owner, period.
There was a furniture store I used to go to, that had decent furniture at a decent price. I stopped going when they put up this big display sign with religous quotes (including ones I found offensive) and started playing 'contemporary Christian" music in the store, it went over a line for me, I didn 't feel comfortable going there, it would be the same with politics. Would I tell others not to go there? If someone asked, I would tell them why I didn’t go there any more, but wouldn’t tell them not to, that would be up to them.
I’m sure many of us have people in our own families who are on opposite sides of the political fence. H and I generally are, as far as parties go. My conservative MIL/FIL have said some pretty offensive things recently. We hold our tongues - some things are better left alone.
When it comes to a business, I guess it would depend a lot on what they were saying and HOW they were saying it, as well as what sort of relationship we have. We’ve been seeing the same dentist for 26 years, so he would have to do something pretty extreme for me to leave his practice. As landlords, I can’t imagine a tenant’s political leanings being an issue.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/patagonia-election-day_us_5813af65e4b0390e69d04160
I saw this on the news tonight. Patagonia is closing all its stores, distribution centers and headquarters on Election Day so its employees can vote. They are encouraging its customers to vote the earth. In the stores they have information on issues that concern the environment. They say they are non partisan but environmental issues run more to the liberal side. I lean left so I’m not bothered. Do others feel this is mixing politics and business? Would you be bothered?
It’s been part of Patagonia’s mission from the get go so I have no problem with it. They put their money where their mouth is, too. If folks want to believe that climate change is a hoax, they don’t have to buy Patagonia products. I’ve also only seen them be Pro and positive about their message. I haven’t seen them mudsling. I guess that’s the line I continue to draw.
There was a restaurant in my former area where we ate a couple times right after moving there. Then election season arrived, and they put up political signs for candidates I loathed. Never ate there again. There are plenty of other restaurants in town.
I think Patagonia should stay open on Election Day but give all employees paid time off to vote. My employer does so.
One benefit to being closed on election day is that schools are closed in some voting jurisdictions (my area for example) so it allows employees with kids to take care of the children on that day.