Friday, March 7, 2014

Boudica and Drycleaning

So you ask "what is a Boudica and what does it have to do with drycleaning?" Ok let's start with a confession from me - I do not watch the regular t.v. - yep no ABC,NBC, or CBS. I guess for the young folks it will come as a surprise but when I was a kid that was it for choice in t.v. So now with History, HGTV, and Food Network, I have all these choices so why watch a sitcom when I can learn to make a souffle, tile my kitchen or learn about history? Thus Bouddica.( pronouced Boo- Di -Kah) This is going to be a roundabout way to get to the drycleaning part but if you will indulge me ...first let's talk Bouddica, Boudica the Warrior Queen. If you watch the History Channel or the Military History Channel then you may know of Boudica- truth to tell that is how I learned of her. In 60 A.D. Boudica was the queen of the Celtic tribe the Icene ( eye-see-knee). Boudica's husband was a nominal ally of Romans after they invaded Britain. So all was well in Wales until Boudica's husband died.See as long was the king was alive and paid taxes to Rome - No problems. When her husband died he thought he was protecting his clan by leaving a will. In the will he left his kingdom jointly to his daughters and the Roman emperior. Sounded like a good idea but Rome decided to annex the kingdom ( leave a kingdom to women? not in Rome). So Boudica complained and the Romans came to Icene. They flogged Boudica 40 times while tying her to a post. Her daughters were raped. The Icene were were completely under Roman control and they were no longer able to feed their own clan because the Romans took their crops for themselves. But Boudica would not allow this injustice to stand. So she ( the Romans did not take her seriously after all she was just a woman) united all the Celtic clans. They then burned down to the ground the nearest Roman city killing all within its walls. She then led her army towards London destroying Roman legions on the way. Alas,an army with sticks and rocks was at a terrible disadvantage agaist one with shields and swords. But Boudica made the Emperor Nero ( of fiddle fame) consider completely pulling out of Britain. She did lose the final battle but did accomplish 2 things she united the Celtic tribes for the first time and she scared the beejeebers out of Rome. So while the Romans did not withdraw from Britain they knew from that time onward their position was always going to be precarious. Ok History lesson over, So what does Boudica have to do with drycleaning? I am going to go all Boudica at ABC. All drycleaners the same? Obviously, not. Why would one charge over $5.00 to clean a pair of pant and another only $!? Reason tells you that they cannot be doing the same thing to your clothes. So ABC found some guy named Jeeves who said some drycleaners use dirty solvent. Gross!!!! Does that happen ? I honestly do not know - not here. But it's easy enough to find out - take a look. I can show you my equipment and solvent. I would happy to do it. But bear in my - I have a thing for history - so it include a little history lesson too. But here is where I go completely Boudicca - this Jeeves fellow said some cleaners do not even clean difficult customers clothes - they just charge them. Who thinks like that? Who would do such a thing? I think perhaps Mr. Jeeves! How unbelievable that just because someone is picky or rude that would not do the job they are paying you to do. Picky people are great - they challenge you to do your absolute best. Rude people well ... sometime they are just a challenge... but what kind of person would consider doing anything less than their job . Hey life is tough, people have bad days , whatever but that doesn't mean I do not do my job. I have never ever heard of such a thing and frankly how in the great big universe does this Jeeves fellow know this stuff. I presume he is not invited guest to other cleaners stores - so where does this information come from .... perhaps personal experience? Look if you want to come here,look around , ask questions, I would love to talk to you!!! I cannot tell you what other drycleaners do ... why? I am too busy making sure we do things right! I try and buy the best products - the same way a chef buys the best ingredients. You cannot make a souffle with old eggs and you cannot clean clothes with old solvents, products etc. But like my dad use to say " people never accuse you Vicky of doing something attrocious if they haven't done it themselves - why else would they even think of it - did you ?" I guess that's why I will never be able to be congressman or senator , or president - I just cannot do that kind of thing. But here is the my final Boudica yell - A good cleaners . a respectable cleaners will gladly let you see whatever it is you are concerned about. We have had a group of homeschoolers come through and learn all about drycleaning and tour every inch of our store. But like Boudica I hate injustice - not all drycleaners are alike ... geez not all drycleaners even think like Mr. Jeeves. This warrior queen hates the idea that ABC gets some guy to impune all drycleaners. We are not all like that ... we are small businesses without some K street lobby who do the best we can every day. We are part of the community .. we live where we work. We care ... I do ... I have my reputation to uphold. My dad once said " all you really have is your good name - do not drag the Maisel name down". So as you watch the show ... drycleaners are not all the same and this Boudica warrior princess will fight to make sure you can trust us ... call me come by ... whatever . I hope I don't end up like poor Boudica - she either killed herself to avoid capture or was injured and feel ill and died. But Like Boudica I will fight to make sure that drycleaners are not lumped into this group of dishonest and smarmy slimes but decent people who do their best everyday to run a small business.Sure expose the bad apples - heck I'll help .... but do not act like it's the majority of us drycleaners.