I watched an unpleasant scene yesterday; a customer in a store, worked very hard to exert his power over a store worker to get his way. I don't know what it was about although the customer wasn't being very nice to the shopworker who, possibly out of fear of losing her job or getting into some sort of trouble with management, was meek and mild but clearly somewhat uncomfortable because of the abuse. I felt sorry for her but throughout the relentless tirade she kept a semblance of control and that's to be applauded and respected.
Thinking about power, the abuse of power, later on, I remembered back when I worked in retail and how bad I was treated by customers insistent on having their own way no matter what. I remember thinking how terrible some people could be and I came to hate working in the retail sector. I was good at it though and those experiences taught me a lot about myself and others.
I began to understand that some customers behaved like that for various reasons which could be wanting to get their way on a refund or something like that but also because the power play made them feel better within themselves; it's like that momentary feeling of power over someone else increased their feeling of self worth or self esteem. It doesn't of course.
I don't like people who behave in that manner but also feel somewhat sorry for them because they're the ultimate loser; they lose respect from others, relationships and opportunities but also they lose a little more of their self esteem each time they act in that manner and it's so completely avoidable. Sad really.
The only power play a person should make is to use their power to control their thoughts and attitudes and to work towards being a better person outwardly and inwardly; that's the best use of power.