It would be a great abuse of my position to write that it was Northwest Airlines that treated us in this shoddy and inexcusable way, so I won't.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker refrains from blaming an airline directly out of a sense of professional restraint or fear of consequences.
- In plain terms
- I will not say the airline treated us badly because it would be abusing my position.
- What can you take from it?
- Position or power can limit what people feel safe saying.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When should we stay silent?
- How does power affect truth?
Another view
It suggests accountability is secondary to protecting one's standing.
More from Bill Bryson
There is always a little more toothpaste in the tube. Think about it.
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