this and that

     Every country wants to make money. One country has the materials at a lower price, another has the manpower at a lower price. Put it together and as Tim Gunn says “make it work”. I’d say for the most part, it works. Of course we can all complain about us Americans losing jobs, and compare stories of calling about your cell phone bill and getting someone in India that is of no help, and makes you think murderous thoughts. It’s not going to be perfect considering the bottom line here. Politicians. Not just from one country, but from many. Funny how there were animal food recalls, and lead paint in children’s toys (that seems redundant, what other toys are there? …Well, that would leave you in a real pickle). What was the common denominator? Made in China. As of recent, I am now reading the labels and trying to buy just from the U.S. of A. only. Or at least from a neutral country.

     What a confounded issue of global marketing, given the current economy, exchange rates, and the problems with contract manufacturing to name a few. It seems as though our government has many programsto entice us to export our business to other countries. As for the marketing aspect, it seems any college course will tell you repeatedly that you must know the country and their customs, least you offend them. Oh, how hilarious, that the Ford “Pinto” was a big joke in Mexico. That one never gets old. (sarcasm) If I had a product and wanted to go globally with it, I’d do my just research, then to sell it I think I would stick to the internet. Are they still calling it that?

     Food and drink sampling for me is a fine-tuned skill. When practiced correctly, I feel like I beat “The Man”.  Hey, it’s the small things in life, right?The way to do it is to first pick your better stores, I find they are more liberal with the samples, and they try to appeal to a finer palate. (Albertson’s can go shove it with their free crackers and Cheez Whizz, and don’t get me started with the community dog bowl filled with flavored potato chips). One thing to look out for at the sample stations is the use of any tupperware type of containers. This may mean the stranger who is giving out the free food may have prepared this in their strange home. My expert opinion is that Central Market is fine, but their less expensive partner store, Market Street is where you can really fill up. I find Saturday at noon is a good time to hit the store. Last time I went I had a free coffee sample, fruit, several fine cheeses, a good helping of almond crusted salmon, and some sort of steak. Of course I told them the usual “Oh, this is great, I’ll pick some up on the way out!” The wide loads next to me more than make up for my samples, throwing canisters of fish seasoning, and 10 lbs. of fish into their carts, whilst trying to get directions to the oil aisle.

     Relationship selling when it pertains to personal fitness trainers is one annoyance I vehemently avoid. They just don’t give up. You sign up to a new gym, and included in the package, they are so wonderful as to give you an absolutely free training session. But it doesn’t end there. The cookie cutter “expert” takes you around the circuit proclaiming how they are sent by God, and if you pay $50 a session, in a few months you’re going to look perfect. You take the free session, then every time you go back to the gym, there’s Mr. Gymbo leaning on a machine as you’re working on some other machine that has you in an awkward position asking how you are. Sampling, yes…but free training sessions “just say no”.