On a recent business trip, I stayed in a hotel that catered to the blue collar crowd. I think I was the only one in the parking lot without a work truck or pickup.
In the bathroom, there was a basket of black hand towels, along with this laminated message: “I’m nothing but a pile of rags…living a life forlorn…I’m old, tattered, and possibly stained. But wait! I am still clean and can be put to work if you, dear guest, would give me a chance. Use me, for heaven’s sake, to wipe your boots and shoes, your hard-working hands, your makeup, even your windshield or motorcycle. I’m tattered but clean and ready to be used instead of a new fluffy towel on those dirty jobs you need done.”
Given the typical clientele, this idea made perfect sense. I’m sure there was dirt and grime from working in the field, and having special towels to accommodate their needs while preserving the white towels was a great idea…
…only the towels were embroidered with cute eyelashes and the words “makeup.” It was a departure from what the message said, implying they were tattered black rags to be used on the slimy jobs vs. a dainty eye makeup remover. I don’t picture a burly man in muddy boots cleaning them off with a makeup towel. Everyone would have been better suited with plain, black clothes.
Do a double check to ensure your message aligns with what you actually deliver, and wipe away any mismatch.
