Mary Kay Update

On my lunch break, while I was getting coffee at the local high traffic starbucks, I happened to notice two twenty something 'business' looking women sitting at a table. I watched them, in a period of 5-10 minutes, Mary Kay three women. Each seemed equally caught off-guard, equally elated to receive a 'you look so great', and equally let down when they realized what it was really all about.

However, they both definitely noticed me yet did not dare approach. I can only assume that a) they read this blog, b) they could smell the cynicism a mile away or c) there was nothing even remotely compliment-able about me today. I'm going with b.

I Got Mary Kay'd

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.