Put it in writing

My old dad taught me a lot of things.

Yes, a lot of things about a lot of subjects, but most notably about business. And it's something he's highly qualified to talk about.

One of his maxims was, and still is, "never trust anyone who won't put it in writing".

Experience had shown him that, if someone won't put orders, requests, remarks, anything at all, in writing, there was some reason behind it. My experience has shown me the same.

You won't put it in writing? Why not? Do you know what that tells me? That you've got something to hide. Or that you don't want that 'writing' to come back and haunt you at a later date. But if your request or order or remarks are legitimate, why on earth can't you put it in writing?

Let's put it this way. Would you expect a pharmacist to give you prescription drugs without  a written prescription from your doctor?  If you're buying a car, can you really do that without there being any paperwork involved? Hell, even taking your car for a simple oil change, you'll need to complete a repair order at the shop.

So you won't put it in writing, eh?

Hmm ... I wonder why not.