Absolute(ly) Power(less)

In a recent post, Leif Pettersen mentions the "ethical dilemma of being treated like a vagrant by people whose businesses I could make or break with one sentence in the book" when it comes to working on guidebooks (or travel writing in general, but guidebooks have the most direct correlation to increased business).

 While I hate being treated like a hobo even when I really have showered recently, I assume that the feeling you get when someone at the front desk sneers at you must be what it feels like to work at the DMV. And they feel that way all the time. At least I get to go have lunch and eat three courses in the name of "research".