The Southwestern Company Internship Difference Blog
You know, being that Southwestern Company produces educational products for college students to sell to families door-to-door, and having slung the sample case myself, I found this absolutely hilarious…
It is from a blog post from August 5, 2010 titled “Yet another door-to-door guy raises suspicions.”
It reads:
“Today at 8 p.m., just as I had gotten my 5 year-old daughter down for the night, I heard a persistent, loud rapping at my door. He was nicely dressed in a well-pressed black cloak, holding a scythe, looked to be about 100 to 200 years of age, a little thin perhaps. He was going on about ‘an hourglass’ and ‘time is up’, but I told him politely but firmly that ‘I’m not interested’. He then showed me a list of neighbors’ names and asked me which ones might have incurable diseases or might be in the throes of a deep depression. At this point, I demanded to know who he was representing, to show me proof, and he muttered, ‘GE’. I shut the door quickly and called 9-1-1. As he left my front porch, all of the flowers and bushes curled up and burnt to a crisp. Anybody know about this guy?”
– Jeffrey, Stevenson Road
Anyone who has worked door-to-door or ever answered the door to a salesperson knows there is an awkward moment just prior to the approach and introduction. As mentioned before on this blog – it is always better to be cautious, rather than suspicious. Alas, that is just how human nature is. Who can blame everyone for being a little suspicious with the ever-present media proliferation of all that is bad in the world? The positive door-to-door experiences do not raise red flags, so they seldom make the 6 o’clock news.
Anyway, getting back to the image of the Grim Reaper going door-to-door for prospects is funny. I think – while unintentional - this blog post mocks the fears of door-to-door sales and the unknown. It also internalizes how we have become reliant on social media and plays up the fears of social interaction rather than social media interaction. In Southwestern Company’s case, at least, it’s a college student, not the Reaper. Take a chance… and you may meet someone with an interesting background and an even more interesting summer work choice.
Good stuff. What do you think?
Southwestern Company…
Southwestern Company provides this site as an educational resource for consumers. Topics include traveling sales crews, legitimate vs. disreputable direct sellers, door-to-door safety tips, and the direct selling business model….
Personally, when I sold books, I preferred a light-weight grey cloak to the black. The black one absorbed a lot of heat and made it uncomfortable for me to carry the heavy pre-approach skythe for 12 hours, so I usually just wore it on cold, rainy days, and during loud, thunderous lightening stomrs. For some reason, dads were always so happy when told them I should probably speak to the wife.
Dimitry – thanks for carrying the torch (or skythe) to the next level of absurdity. I love it!
i like it! i think you are right- sometimes we get so comfortable in our cushy bubble of a lifestyle that we become close-minded to differences- which oftentimes can change us for the better!
Thanks Alena – you put it perfect: many people are afraid of change or something new.
it's a little dramatic…
It's funny how people have such a negative attitude towards people they do not know or experiences they fear for unknown reasons. It's so weird how so many people will tell you how much they dislike door-to-door sales, but will be the first to actually open the door and be open to having their attitude changed. It really does happen like that. So funny.
Thanks KAC… yes, people sometimes say one thing and do another. it's often that way at the door. I think if people would just give others a chance, but be smart about it, they would embrace the opportunity offered, or at the very least, have had a new experience.
[...] and without making yourself vulnerable, just in case. It’s easy to make jokes about the Grim Reaper rejected at the door , but some people are just as afraid of door-to-door salesmen as they are of [...]