Small Talk

Sometimes when you think you are just shooting the breeze, someone is listening to every word you say.

A few months ago a guy stopped by my office unannounced to try and persuade me to use his firm when obtaining financing for my customers. As a rule I try to duck this type of solicitation but I had a minute and I knew the guy was just doing his job so what the hell.

After a short sales pitch he commented on the fact that he could tell I work-out. Very clever trick there fellow, buttering up the prospective client. We talked about working out, cardio and diet for longer than his sales pitch lasted. Then he left and I went back to work.

A few days ago I received a call. It was Saul. Saul who I didn't know but he wanted to stop by and see me while he was in town. Regarding? Financing, you know, Saul. The truth is I didn't know Saul but he seemed adamant so what the hell, again. As soon as I saw him I remembered him. The slick salesman that tried to butter me up. I ushered him into my office waiting for the NEW pitch. It never came. What he stopped by for was to tell me something or rather show me something.

Me: So what's been going on?

Saul: I've lost 22 pounds in the last month and a half.

Well that's wonderful. How did you do it?

Saul: I just took your advice. I have a long way to go but I've changed my lifestyle so I know I'll get there. I really want to thank you for that. If we wouldn't have had that conversation I could have never done it.

I was a bit embarrassed for a few reasons. First, I didn't think I had done anything to deserve a thank you. It caught me of guard. Second, because I couldn't even remember what I had said to him. Mostly because I forgot about him the minute he walked out my office. Apparently I said something that stuck.

He wanted me to go to lunch with him but I already had a customer waiting on me. I shook his hand and wished him luck. He thanked me again and left. The whole thing got me thinking. How many times a day do we say something that means nothing to us but affects other people without even knowing it? So I guess for now on I'll pay more attention to what I'm saying because somebody just might be listening. How odd.