| Author |
Message |
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre
Post Number: 1286
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2012 - 01:23 pm: |    |
Hi all-
I had a presentation yesterday by a product rep (who will remain nameless) and then we went to lunch. At lunch he started about a 30 minute screed about how Scientology changed his life. I'm now very inclined to not use his products at all. So, a couple of hints. If you're a product rep, do not
1) talk to me about how religion saved your life
2) talk to me about your very involved exercise/diet regimen
3) do not talk to me about your spiritual journey and how that's evolving
4) tell me that "the medical establishment is bunk" and your reasons for thinking that. (I've had more doctor appointments this past year than I care to count, but how that relationship works is that you have to trust your health care professionals. some product rep raving about his juicing regimen isn't effective for me.)
if we're really good friends, I might have one of those conversations with you, but if we're not really good friends, those topics will ensure that relationship never happens. |
Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP
Senior Member
Username: ecwhitby
Post Number: 167
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2012 - 02:27 pm: | |
Does not sound like a fun lunch. I agree with all you stated, and would add that I prefer not to have such discussions with coworkers either.
Heck, it’s bad enough hearing such dialogue from friends or family. |
Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 1590
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2012 - 04:14 pm: | |
Hoo boy! And unless you drove separately, you're a captive audience. I'd be very inclined to (1) say something like "isn't that interesting" at every pause; (2) start spouting my own opinions and theories; or (3) get up, excuse myself, and walk out, perhaps spending a substantial chunk of time in the women's room, coming back and saying "look at the time; I have to get back". That's just not good etiquette for anyone! |
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg
Post Number: 395
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2012 - 04:23 pm: | |
I am so sorry to hear that Anne. At the first sign of Scientology, I'd have been out the door with my doggie bag (sorry, no pedigree).
I've had Scientology, Amway, religion, politics and so many other forms of pontification thrown at me over the years that I am even more abrupt now than I was in the past. It's a business lunch; talk with me about who's busy, who's doing interesting work, who's hiring, who's laying people off, juicy gossip, sports or the weather. Bore me with stories about your kids, your vacation, or how drunk you got.
Oh, please don't tell me how you cheated on your spouse. I will hurt you. |
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre
Post Number: 1287
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 21, 2012 - 05:05 pm: | |
actually what I said when he mentioned Scientology (which is a client of ours by the way) my response was "you know, there may be something there, but everyone who speaks publicly about it is a complete and total nutjob, which doesn't say much for the organization." he sort of sputtered after that and launched into the anti-health establishment phase of the "conversation" |
Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP
Senior Member
Username: ecwhitby
Post Number: 169
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2012 - 08:52 am: | |
Anne;
Now, now: Let us not be judgemental. I am sure that there must be at least one Scientologist who isn't "a complete and total nutjob". That said, I certainly haven't met them nor can I remember hearing one. ;-p |
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg
Post Number: 397
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2012 - 11:50 am: | |
I think it's like lawyers. 95% of them give the rest a bad name. |
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