<div class="bbWrapper">I'm not Jewish, but as a writer, I have a great respect for language. <br />
<br />
Occasionally, I discover a word and get to know its meaning, but rarely have a chance to use it.<br />
<br />
Here's an example of one of those times.<br />
<br />
I post it here because it says a lot about how people can choose to do business.<br />
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I hope you enjoy it.<br />
<br />
-Russ H.<br />
<br />
<b>mensch</b> or <b>mensh</b> <br />
<i>from the American Heritage Dictionary:<br />
n. pl. mensch·es or mensch·en Informal <br />
A person having admirable characteristics, such as fortitude and firmness of purpose.<br />
<br />
[Yiddish, human being, mensch, from Middle High German, human being, from Old High German mennisco; see man-1 in Indo-European roots.] </i><br />
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**********<br />
<br />
I did a small amount of work for the President of MTV about 10 years ago.<br />
<br />
He called me to ask a few questions (I remember being in an airport in Australia at the time, and thinking about how surreal my life had become, sitting there talking w/the head of MTV on the other side of the world).<br />
<br />
He said that due to construction issues and such, they were not going to be able to use my engineering (I had made some suggestions/done some engineering drawings that could not be integrated without going back to the city for plan review, and this would delay his project for months). <br />
<br />
Since I had not entered into a contract with him, I didn't feel right about charging him for work he was not going to use (I had done the work as a rush job, since I was heading out the door to Australia when it hit my desk).<br />
<br />
Still, he asked me, "How much time did you put into this? I want to pay you."<br />
<br />
After joking around for a bit, I told him that if he paid me, I would be contractually liable for any work that might be done on his house. And that a letter from his atty telling me that they would never hold me responsible would be the nicest thing he could give me, in lieau of payment (since I was, in effect, stopping work before the job was finished).<br />
<br />
He laughed and said that if I was serious (I was), that this was no problem at all.<br />
<br />
"But I want to do something for you. You've been a great guy, and you deserve to get something for what you've done."<br />
<br />
So I asked for a personal recommendation, on MTV letterhead. <br />
<br />
He said, "That's it!?" I said, "Yep."<br />
<br />
When I got home from Australia, there were 2 Fed Exs waiting for me from him.<br />
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In one was the letter of recommendation, on MTV letterhead, as promised.<br />
<br />
In the other, was a letter drawn up by his atty, signed by him, releasing me of any and all responsiblities. <br />
<br />
And paper clipped to the release was a check, for $10,000. With a post-it:<br />
<br />
<i>"Thanks for all your help. Have lunch on me."</i><br />
<br />
I called his office and asked for him. When he came on the line, I said, "I just wanted to thank you. And tell you that I think you're a mensch."<br />
<br />
He laughed and said, "You're very welcome. You should know that the reason I did this was that I consider *you* a mensch." <br />
<br />
I considered that a great compliment.<br />
<br />
He asked me to give him a call the next time I was in New York, and we signed off.<br />
<br />
******</div>
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