Here's a tidbit for the reader or two for whom I clearly am a huge irritation. Seeing as how Richard Branson has, if possible, an even bigger ego than myself, maybe he can be lightning rod for a few hours...
Most people in this world has been taught to not speak well of themselves. But still if you combine them, there are still very many people who have not learned the lesson. Given that, it must take an enormous amount of energy to snarl and lash out at all of them. And does anybody thank you for your hard and selfless work? Nooooo!
Update:
I'm happy to hear that the promotional stunts paint a wrong picture of him. Timo points this out, and Philocalist wrote:
I met Richard Branson several years ago, quite casually in the coffee lounge of a large London hotel.
I was sat on a couch, waiting on the arrival of a courier, with my nose deep in a book: I took no notice of the guy who sat down opposite and ordered coffee, which arrived for 'two' rather than just him - the waiter had made a simple mistake and assumed us to be together.
At this stage I looked up to recognise him immediately, and before I could even react, was offered coffee and cake by him!
Purely coincidentally, his company, Virgin, had very recently purchased a large country hotel close to where I lived, and there was talk of him moving his UK office there, into a refurbished stable-block - it gave me something to talk about :-)
What I found very different about this guy was that he sat and genuinely listened to what I had to say, asking questions of me that perhaps only I, as a local, could answer honestly.
We sat for maybe another 30 minutes: his appointment arrived at the same time as my delivery.
This was in direct contrast with another 'celebrity' who arrived into reception as we sat there.
I won't name names: he was, and possibly still is the biggest game-show host (amongst other things) in the UK. I've never seen such rude arrogance on open display: it was such a marked contrast ... the staff were very happy (and relaxed!) to be around Richard Branson, but avoided GSH like the plague!
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Seeing as how Richard Branson has, if possible, an even bigger ego ...
ReplyDeleteFunny, to me Branson has always come across as a humble guy. And someone who genuinely wants to serve -- hence the success of his companies.
His marketing stunts are just that: marketing stunts. In this regard, he can be thought of as the "joker" in the classic protagonist/antagonist/joker model of game theory.
I recommend his two books, by the way. They are very entertaining.
TED: Richard Branson's life at 30,000 feet
Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHave to agree with Timo on this one: I met Richard Branson several years ago, quite casually in the coffee lounge of a large London hotel.
ReplyDeleteI was sat on a couch, waiting on the arrival of a courier, with my nose deep in a book: I took no notice of the guy who sat down opposite and ordered coffee, which arrived for 'two' rather than just him - the waiter had made a simple mistake and assumed us to be together.
At this stage I looked up to recognise him immediately, and before I could even react, was offered coffee and cake by him!
Purely coincidentally, his company, Virgin, had very recently purchased a large country hotel close to where I lived, and there was talk of him moving his UK office there, into a refurbished stable-block - it gave me something to talk about :-)
What I found very different about this guy was that he sat and genuinely listened to what I had to say, asking questions of me that perhaps only I, as a local, could answer honestly.
We sat for maybe another 30 minutes: his appointment arrived at the same time as my delivery!
This was in direct contrast with another 'celebrity' who arrived into reception as we sat there.
I won't name names: he was, and possibly still is the biggest game-show host (amongst other things) in the UK. I've never seen such rude arrogance on open display: it was such a marked contrast ... the staff were very happy (and relaxed!) to be around Richard Branson, but avoided GSH like the plague!
Seeing as how Richard Branson has, if possible, an even bigger ego than myself, maybe he can be lightning rod for a few hours...
ReplyDeleteEven if he has a giant ego, at least he's done something to deserve it. It's great that you've managed to secure yourself such an easy life and don't really do any work, but it's not up there with building a company or creating something lasting or worthwhile. You just run a cheesy nudie site. Were it not for the internet existing you'd be living on the dole in Denmark. Someone like Branson goes out and does it.
Thank you, Peter (philocalist), very cool.
ReplyDeleteA, perhaps you're right that I'm a mediocre blowhard. There's a lot of evidence for it.
A, perhaps you're right that I'm a mediocre blowhard. There's a lot of evidence for it.
ReplyDeleteCount your blessings. Mediocrity is something that some of us can only aspire to.
@Philocalist:
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that cool story. For those that can see, this (sorry; can't find on uboob.) paints quite the same picture: a man w/a huge heart...even as BUSY as his days are filled! Four HUNDRED companies, he CREATED!!
And...he STILL finds time to have FUN; and...I LOVE his "perma-GRIN" and "can do" attitude!
I also think that he's a bit shy so...I feel for him w/ALL the publicity that he has to throw himself into in order to continually promote his businesses. The dude does not seem to rest on his laurels for very long!
I have, simply, ADORED the dude from the very first time I learned of him; he's a complete NUT and DAREDEVIL w/a wonderful attitude who enjoys his life to the max and I LOVE that about him! He inspires me! :-D