A discussion about business ethics, character traits, integrity, and values

When I was selling jelly, I traveled to arts and craft shows all over the country. My favorite place was Texas, because I liked the people and, at least in my experience, Texans ate a lot of jelly. Many, many times, customers would start to write a check, and ask who to make it out to. I would tell them to leave that blank, that I would fill it in later. They accepted this. After an appropriate pause, I would say, “In fact, go ahead and leave the amount blank, too. Just sign it and I’ll fill it out tonight.” Hundreds of Texans handed me blank signed checks.

I can’t imagine that so many Texans are that trusting, so it must mean simply that I am that trustworthy. Right? Of any compliments I may have received over the years, that one means as much to me as any.