What Kind of Fish Are You?

So, what kind of fish are you? (I know we're people, not fish, but I'm going somewhere with this.) The way I see it there are really only two sizes of fish. And two sizes of ponds. I'll illustrate.

I worked for a flower shop. Not for a long time by any means, nor would I say I was exceptional at my job. I did an okay job considering what the conditions of the job were. We had a customer, she and her husband owned a construction company. They were very well off for the standards of this town. While this town has become a major city it still feels more like a small town, especially to most people living in cities like Los Angeles. This customer called and told me that she was taking her sister to lunch at one of the 2 exclusive restaurants in town and would like a nice big bouquet of flowers to be delivered to the restaurant. I took down the information on the date and restaurant and asked what time was the reservation, so that we could get the flowers there a little early. She said in a rather appalled voice, "Lunch is at noon".

I got off the phone and went to tell my floral designer's about the order. They howled. Apparently this is normal for this lady. "Breakfast is at 8, lunch is at noon, dinner is at 6", is what they told me.

I have laughed over the years over this woman's absurd comment. But it got me thinking, she's acting this way because she's a big fish in a little pond. Her husband's construction business was successful in our little town, but it probably wouldn't be in a major market.

Music Man had a friend who like Music Man plays trumpet. One day this friend, who I will call Mr. Braggy, said to Music Man, "Reno has a lot of gigs and they pay very well. We could earn a living there without any problem." It would have been a dream come true for both of them. Music Man thought it over for a few weeks. He realized that Mr. Braggy had enough contacts from all the gigs he was playing around town that they probably could earn a living playing music in Reno. Music Man and I discussed it and decided that if we could get it set up, that was what we would do.

When Music Man went to Mr. Braggy and said, "I've thought about it, let's do this, let's move to Reno. We can put together a group and play. It will be awesome." Suddenly Mr. Braggy started backtracking. He didn't know where any of us would live, what about all our stuff, excuse after excuse until finally he said he liked playing the local gigs he got. A light went on in Music Man's head. Mr. Braggy was a big fish in a little pond and he liked it that way. He had just been bragging to Music Man trying to show him how big a fish he really was.

So, are you a little fish in a little pond, a big fish in a little pond, a little fish in a big pond or a big fish in a big pond? What is it about your pond and your place in it that you like?

As for Music Man, he's working toward, big fish, big pond. I think he can do it. I know I'm biased but I really do.