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A Matter of Opinion

Can you explain something to me? I really don’t understand what’s going on here and I’d like some kind of answer. I must admit that I feel a little stupid and I’m just not sure why. Here’s the basic problem: people are asking for my opinion but then not following it. There’s a wholesale denial of my implied expertise. Let me explain.

Scenario 1: A few months ago I was over at my parents. Somehow we got to talking about computers and I relayed my story of how I’ve never had luck with a certain manufacturer I’m going to call Right-Hand-Widget (RHW for short). I told my Dad how I was working for a company that ordered 20 of them for office use and I had to return all 20 because none of them worked – none of them. I went on to tell him of my most recent venture with RHW, that I was “forced” to purchase one at my last company and it also had issues and needed to be returned. I railed on the customer service (worst in the business) and all the foibles I went through to return the PC. Fast-forward a couple weeks after my tirade… my Dad ended up purchasing a new laptop – from RHW. (sigh)

Scenario 2: Leslie texts me about a week ago and basically asks how much she should spend on a laptop. I tell her some prices, give her a couple outlets to purchase online, and makes sure she’s buying a model from the company I recommend. She sends me a couple model numbers and I agree that the systems she’s looking at should do the job. Fast-forward to yesterday, she calls me looking to set it up. First thing she says to me: “There’s a RHW start-up screen I’m looking at”. RHW? What happened to the brand I suggested? “Oh, that was too expensive”. Okay, that’s fine, I understand monetary concerns. I texted her saying that I haven’t had any luck with RHW computers and that if she had told me she was looking at them, I would have tried to talk her out of it. (double sigh)

I’m just not sure why they ask me anymore. In the future, if someone asks what I should buy I’ll just say “get what you want, no one listens to me anyway”.

The worst part of it is that I’ve got a sister-in-law who works for RHW. I watched her gleefully clap while everyone was talking about purchasing RHW equipment. “I’m so happy” she said. I’m thinking to myself “I wouldn’t take RHW computers if they were given to me”.

I’m waiting for the day when these computers start failing – and they will – and people start coming to me to have them fixed. I will laugh in their face.

--

I have a tendency these days to watch older television shows and I noticed an interesting trend: if a show is considered a comedy, most – if not all – of the characters talk very loudly or even yell. The 2 examples I have are “Hogan’s Heroes” and “Third Rock From The Sun”.

Maybe they used stage actors who were used to projecting but a lot of what I was hearing was yelling. I urge you to watch one or two episodes of these shows and tell me if you agree or disagree.

--

A big part of getting a job is selling yourself. I do an okay job of it on paper, but I am not good at selling myself in person. I try to be relaxed and casual at interviews and I’m pretty sure I haven’t said anything stupid out loud, but I’m just not a salesman.

A big part of getting a date is selling yourself. I do an okay job of it on the phone, but I am not good at selling myself in person. I try to be relaxed and casual on a date and I’m pretty sure I haven’t said anything stupid out loud, but I’m just not a salesman.

Maybe that’s why people keep buying Right Hand Widget computers. There’s some part of me that people don’t believe (or trust?)
(triple sigh)

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