Pampered Chef and all that other stuff

So I was at a Pampered Chef party the other night. You know how it goes.."Let's all go around the circle and say what our favorite 'tool' is...And if you spend such and such amount of money, you get this (cheap lookin') heart-shaped candy dish for only $14.99... Does someone want to come up and demonstrate the Ultimate Chopper? Oh, my kids just love the sud pump (or whatever it's called)... They've never been so excited about washing their hands!... Ooohhh, yeahhh... Wow, I'm so grateful to have 'tools' that allow me to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the family...blah, blah, blah..."
I'm sorry. It's just that the whole time I was at the party, I was almost laughing because I just kept thinking about what I would blog about it. I know what you're thinking. "Ann, you're just bitter because you can't afford to buy anything but a spatula and some hand wash. Ummm, true. However, that's not the point. The point is--man, I am so not the sales type of person.

I remember working at the GAP when I was sixteen and being pressured to accomplish all of these stupid little sales goals that were on this little card. I hated it. Was I a good salesperson? Heck, yes. I was good because I was super friendly and helpful, but not because I ever tried to manipulate someone into buying something that they really didn't need or want.

I also remember that when Brian and I were first married and were living in Provo, Brian applied for a job that appeared to be some kind of installer. Turns out it was one of those multi-level companies that sold vacuums of all things. So Brian got all roped into selling really expensive vacuums. Again, you know the drill. You call up all of your close family and friends and ask them if you can give them a presentation or whatever, and you hope to pressure them into buying a stupid vacuum that doubles as an air filter. I'll tell you what, man. I seriously could not deal with the idea of having a husband who was a vacuum salesman--or any salesman for that matter. I remember calling my mom and telling her that I didn't think my marriage could survive such a trial as this, and I remember her telling me that the world does need sales people and that somebody has to do it. Lucky for me, Brian was not meant to be that somebody. He quit shortly after he started.

What do I hate so much about sales? Well, I guess it is the fact that there always seems to be some level of dishonesty and insincerity because the person selling is always self interested. And yeah, even the casual selling that goes on at all of these parties that we all go to is too much for me. Whenever I am at a "party" for Pampered Chef or home stuff, or body lotions or candles or whatever, I always feel like I have to leave my real self in the car and only take in my artificial self that can ooh and aahh appropriately. Does anyone hear what I'm saying?

Ironically, I really enjoy going to all these silly parties. I love to be social and I love to eat, so I'm willing to pay the price of having someone trying to sell me something.

I guess what I'm saying is that there will never be a selling party at my house. I will, however, be throwing a super cool party someday. It will be a giving party. The kind that Oprah has once a year where she gives each member in the audience a sample of all of her favorite things. I'm going to start saving my pennies...

P.S. I do fully recognize and respect the fact that there are many people that love going to these parties just because they ARE anxious to learn about and buy all the new products--I'm just usually not one of them.