In this episode of The Art of Reading the Room, Gerard and Sarah dive into one of the most controversial topics in business and life: When do you reward bad service, and when do you walk away?

From tipping debates to frustrating experiences with vendors, this candid conversation explores the hidden emotional and financial toll of dealing with unreliable people — and the surprising lessons that come with paying someone just to leave.

We share real stories about trusting the wrong people, navigating work relationships with integrity, and the hard decisions every small business owner faces.

Topics Covered:

1. When tipping becomes emotional — ethics vs. customer service
2. What to do when vendors lie, underperform, or overcharge
3. How to exit work relationships without burning bridges
4. The danger of discounting your worth as a small business owner
5. Why communication failures ruin good working dynamics
6. How to set and revisit professional boundaries with clarity

Quote of the Episode:

“Don’t discount your rate and then get mad when you hate the work you’re doing.”

👀 Team Gerard or Team Sarah? Tell us in the comments: How do you handle poor service — pay anyway or push back?

Subscribe for more honest, unfiltered conversations from Gerard and Sarah every week.