So, this has happened to me a couple times recently. I know this has happened to all of my fellow female Chicagoans at some point. It happened again today. I was Mary Kay'd.
For anyone not familiar with what this might mean - the following scene plays out:
--Random woman approaches and pays your truly a compliment
--"Oh thank you."
--"Do you work around here?" (Conversation takes an immediate turn downhill.)
--(Random brief answer that can *hopefully* segue into an exit strategy)
--"How's that working out for you? I imagine things might be a little rough right now. I work with women in business development. We look for people like you who are well put together (I'm soooo flattered - cause let's be honest - this woman is going after people in sweatpants alike). We have $100k+ opportunities at my company right now. Can I get your information?"
Ugh. It's not the being approached/bothered aspect of it. It's not the waste of time. It's not the annoying persistence.
It's the fake compliment. Mary Kay ALWAYS leads in with a compliment. It's usually something generic. However, it's a compliment from a stranger. Those are rare. Those are hard to get. It's easy to compliment a friend, coworker, or someone you're about to have to speak to anyway. Walking up to a total stranger - that takes something extra. If a stranger is complimenting me, I must look REALLY good. There's a certain high associated with it - which perhaps leads to a certain low after realizing it came with an ulterior motive. The disappointment!
Come to think of it, it's the city of Chicago - if a stranger is approaching with a compliment and she is not with Mary Kay, she is probably trying to steal your wallet. Sigh.
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3 comments:
I'm embarrassed to say that it's happened to me before in a Bed Bath and Beyond. I will no longer respond to anyone I don't know, even if it's a compliment. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on....?? uhhhh, you won't fool me twice!!"
they tag team here in St. Louis - the Mary Kay lady distracts you while someone else steals your car - then while you're busy dialing 911 she grabs your wallet, your metro card, and your travel mug. true story.
um, the lady who walks down Michigan Avenue has gotten everyone woman in my office. At the Starbucks, the Walgreens, the bus stop, seriously annoying. And when it happened to me, I truly wanted a sincere compliment and she ruined my good happy feelings. Bitch.
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