The trouble with being a salesman

Everyone's wary of a salesman. The funniest thing is that even a salesman would avoid meeting another salesman. Why?

I guess people generally hate the idea of being sold to, of being led down the path to spend on something they don't need. Just look at all the people trying to shove their wares to you at the department store, especially at the fragrance department.

I'm like everyone else. I'll choose what I buy and where I buy it thank you very much. And yet I know that in reality we're all salesmen whether we like it or not.

I say that because we're always trying to convince others that we are nice people, that we have good intentions, that our idea is the best. There's a term for it - its called selling. On the other side we hope somebody will 'buy' what we sell, to be convinced that we are as nice as we say, that our idea is as good as we claim, that our church is better than the other one, etc etc.

Ever interviewed for a job? Well, you were selling. If you're good, they'll buy. If not, hasta la vista baby. What we're selling is not the point. The point is that whether you're trying to convince someone to hire you or you're selling shampoo, the thought processes are virtually identical. Think about it.

So next time if someone says "Salesmen are scum," ask them if they've really thought things through.

(Janet, I hope you're reading this :D)