either extracting the yellow liquid or does not run a business
Both, as in yes I was, and yes I do, actually.
take work from a competitor, no matter what the circumstance
That approach has got more small businesses into difficulties than almost any other. Being cautious and making sure propects (for that's all the OP was at the time) are qualified (ie are going to follow through and aren't just tyre kickers) is really important or you will find yourself doing loads of selling and no earning.
What a business needs is a way of attracting people who are going to be good customers and actively discouraging anybody who isnt so that they dont waste time on them. It could be that having grumpy front desk staff is a strategy that ensures only really keen prospects follow through - flying schools that have kept going must have something right in terms of survival of the fittest (Darwin-style) dont you think?