Saturday we had a yard sale. It's all part of an effort that includes eBay, donations to charity thrift shops, yard sales, drive-bys, and possibly bonfires. Anyway, the ad said 7:30, so of course the early birds show up at 7, while we're still carrying stuff outside. The first guy asked at least three times if we had any trains or military collectibles. He seemed disappointed that I didn't have any of my father's awards there to sell to him. (If I had them, pal, I wouldn't sell them at all! And asking the same question over and over is not going to change the answer!) The second bird was a strange one, an oldster who had been lured by the ad's promises of art supplies. He demanded to see them, and I brought out the large box of paints. "These are too old. Look, they're all dried up. They aren't worth anything!" "Well, then I expect you won't want to buy them, then." He grudgingly offered $7. I insisted on $8, mainly because he was such an ass. He walked off in a huff, but he kept looking back to see if I had changed my mind. Later I let the box go for $5 to a much nicer person.

That old coot obviously never heard the old adage about catching more flies with honey than with vinegar. Being nice has helped me out over the years; I usually have a very good reason when I'm specifically not nice in a situation.