KO. It is all good. I respect everyone, even those that maintain the perception that, as an owenr of several clubs, I promote the dark side of humanity. My clubs are protected under the Constitution just as are the churches, but they have a license to pass the plate, and avoid taxes. My businesses pay more taxes than all four major league teams ever pay on an annual basis. Plus, we are stringently regulated by local ordinances, and the state liquor departments.

 

its not about the "need" to go...sometimes a guy (or future client) needs to be shown a good time and I have never met a guy who doesn't like attention from beautiful women.

 

No. I said that if they tried to mix strip clubs with business, I would probably rethink my business relationship with them. I'm not a fan of mixing that kind of "pleasure" with my business affairs. It's an extreme form of currying favor with a potential client and I wouldn't appreciate being put in the place of having to refuse. Furthermore, if they've gotten comfortable enough to make the offer, chances are they're too stupid (I'm being blunt) to have realized that it's not something I'm into either way.

Call me traditional or old-fashioned but that's just the way it is. It's purely a personal preference.

Business isn't just about the numbers and making money, because times change and then it's the relationship that will often define the kind of breaks you get. I have, at times, refused to advocate a business or person because I do not like the way they handle themselves in a business environment.

A man that walks into a board room (having never met ANY of us) and curses profoundly throughout his presentation is not going to get my business or support - he lacks professionalism and courtesy (yes, that has happened). I won't advocate a guy that can't even show common sense because chances are it will bleed back into his other business affairs.

When I represent my company, I have to use judgement not only for the product but also the people that build and support it. If I can't trust the people, I don't want the product. As such, "judging" people is going to have a rather heavy effect on those with whom I choose to do business.

 

Haven't you guys ever heard that you don't pay a hooker for sex............................................. you pay her to leave afterward.

 

Sure. That give credence to the saying "she better negotiate first 'cause she aint worth 10 cents afterwards."

 

To put this into more perspective for some of you guys, what would you say to me if (after a day of business discussions), I said, "Hey - we've got a big night at church tonight. Let's head over there and catch the service. It'll be great fun."

Would you be offended or would you go?

 

I might. I guess it depends whether there will be any nude women dancing in the choir area and one can order a jack and coke?

 

Seriously, though, what would you do and what would you think of me?

That question is really getting to the heart of the issue - would you put up with something that will almost certainly offend you, cause you embarrassment, and genuinely discomfit you....for the sake of business?

 

Honestly, it depends on how much money I'd stand to make.

 

What about if I told you they were going to be preaching against you and your lifestyle, and that you would possibly be singled out as an example that needed to get their life "cleaned up"?

(This wouldn't happen, just making a point)