How Much Grease?

[mbrinkhues]

I actually ommitted a few sentences in the post with the examples:

This shows that bribes don't have to be money, can be quite small yet effective and often easy to pocket/accept

 

[atpollard]

I've never knowingly gone over my limit (standard disclaimer in case Uncle Sam is reading my mail), but I have accepted small gratuities from contractors from time to time. So have about half the folks in my office. For the contractors, it's all part of the cost of doing business. Since the most common legally-allowable gratuity is a small gift, they tend to have the company logo on them, and can be written off as legitimate advertising expenses.

In the case of the company that I work for, the guifts actually serve a more fundamental purpose - building professional personal relationships. Every job holds the inherent risk that something has been overlooked or an unforseeable 'crisis' will arise. When these situations ocur, all future work may be riding on how the other person reacts.

As the anonymous provider of an impersonal service, they will probably accept that the problem has happened and select another service provider next time.

As a firm with which the individual has a personal and professional relationship, there is a greater natural tendency to empathise and accept the unfortunate event as an unusual occurence - preserving the relationship and future projects.

AS a point of curiosity, the web of relationships work to the benefit of both parties. When a department head in Miami had her sewer pipe colapse at home disrupting service for her family, a call for help to our AE firm (where she personally knew people) resulted in a call to a Contractor who does about 30% of our projects, which resulted in 4 hours of a utility crew (plis heavy equipment and a couple lengths of pipe) being diverted from a job in the Miami area to repair the sewer. No charge to anyone and a great deal of good will generated all around.

Is that a bribe?
If so, then what's wrong with that?

 

[Fritz_Brown]

yeah.... what Doyle said. I stand corrected on that technicality. (And, it's all about technicalities.)

 

[Doyle Hunt]

In the case of the company that I work for, the guifts actually serve a more fundamental purpose - building professional personal relationships. Every job holds the inherent risk that something has been overlooked or an unforseeable 'crisis' will arise. When these situations ocur, all future work may be riding on how the other person reacts.

Oh, yeah! Gotta love the networking aspect. That's why all of the give-away gratuity coffee mugs and ball caps have the company logo. When I write a set of specifications, and have to give our Contracting office three possible sources to allow for adequate competition, it's a lot easier to remember XYZ Manufacturing because I've actually met their reps and have their calendar on the wall of my cubicle with their contact information at the bottom. Saves having to root through my business card collection or look up sources on the Internet. (Note to self - every character who owns or crews a commercial ship should have business cards printed up!)

Networking is also why Carousing can provide a positive modifier some of the same tasks that Bribery affects. Remember. travellers, the relationship you establish today pays dividends on your next visit, too! Carousing need not be going to a nightclub, either. A courtesy visit to the Port Warden's office qualifies, too. "Hi! My name's Eneri Resteff, and I'm the captain of Hotfoot, that free trader in Bay 23. I'll be doing a lot of business here in the future. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

You know what the best bribe of all is? "Here, let me give you a hand with that!" The old-fashioned Golden Rule. You want friendly and helpful? BE friendly and helpful! Best of all, it takes nothing out of the pockets of the strapped-for-cash traveller.