30/05/2024
Let's do a quick analogy;
On this day last year in Nigeria, PMS sold at N220/liter and I was able to fill my tank for roughly N14,000.
Assuming my monthly income as at then was say N150,000 and a full tank lasts 2weeks, this means that I get to have my transportation sorted for the month with less than N30,000 which is about 20% of my income.
After tithe, I still have roughly 70% of my income for other stuff which is still over 100k.
Local rice as at this day last year sold for about N30,000 or less for a bag, a crate of egg was less than N2000, spaghetti sold for about N7000 a carton, the jar of bath soap I use was N1300.
So fast forward one year later, salary stays at same N150,000; fuel today at the very least sells for N620/liter which for a month at twice refill is already N79,000 (that is already over 50% of one's salary).
A crate of egg now is N3500, rice is over N70,000 a bag, spaghetti is about N28,000 a carton and that soap was N6500 the last time I checked.
Now ask yourself if in good conscience it is morally right for a company or anyone else for that matter to request a pay cut at this point and expect graciousness?
A lot of you will say 'No' however this is what the lot of you do especially when friendship/familiarity is in the mix.
How do you guys manage to do this?
How do you justify it being okay to make these types of requests?
You complain about the economy as though the other party lives in a different economy or buys from a different and cheaper market.
Why do you think its okay to move forward at another party’s expense?
Naturally, no one would, nor should, sell their goods for less than it was purchased; It is not only wise but actually necessary. If anyone is to stay in business or even stay alive at this point, one must make changes to reflect the current state of the economy.
Most employee-oriented establishments had in fact, hurriedly improved on its staff salaries with some paying twice as much so as to cushion these drastic changes yet some self absorbed persons think it fair to request for a cut.
Matter-of-factly, any business owner in the Nigerian service industry, currently charging the same rate they did this same time last year, is already doing their customer a huge favor; no one in retail is able to do this.
Please, don't show ingratitude and self-centeredness by requesting a discount knowing fully well that your own prices have been adjusted to accommodate the hyper inflation currently being experienced.
And for you who would enjoy a full service valued at N50,000 at the very least, yet decide to send N10,000 just because this person is your ‘friend’, thumbs up!
There are many things to be considered in one’s associations and frankly speaking, once it is observed that any person or organization does not have your interest at heart, its only necessary to make such, a stranger.
Selah.
©MsTolubi
