did you ever wonder how it's like being a shoe in portland?? this might give you an idea:

even before i got there, i knew i was going to love portland. the unique blend of hippies with the rich, the excellent year-round weather, historical architecture beside modern cutting edge structures, and the cheap fine sushi. mmmm... sushi.

portland is one of the major homosexual community capitals in the united states. so in a city where many of the men are homosexuals, and many of the women are.. well, women!, the outcome is a society which is much more refined, gentle and styled; trees are decorated with good taste, fashion standards are f-tv high, and the local music... rocks!

i spent two weeks in portland. i sold hair stylers in the best malls. i did pretty well - considering the fact that i'm bald and don't have the first idea about hair. i straightened hair, did curls, waves, flicks.. you name it. when i was asked, i would say "of course! i used to work as a hair stylist in europe for the past 4 years!!" ... yeah, right.

as a salesperson, i was trained to identify potential cash-stuffed-wallet customers. louis vetton hand bags, genuine diamond rings, aldo shoes; these were signs of a 'mam'. once detected from a distance, a well planned navigation strategy toward the mam would be formed, allowing your paths to cross - not crash - just as the 'mam' passes by the cart. with a glowing smile, a confidant stance, both hands holding the product held like an expensive bottle of wine, a suave voice enthusiastically probes the query: "hello mam, would like to see something amazing?".




some of them stop. some of them don't. some don't even bother to look at you. some prefer watching the demo being performed on others while standing from a distance. some are stopped for the sole purpose of making the cart look busy. some stop by the cart for the sole purpose of becoming busy.

and the excuses i get.. oy vay, the excuses..
until what time are you here? i'll be back later. (mmm hmm right)
i have to ask my husband/wife/mom/daughter/sister/paroll officer/cat/imaginary friend. (you're an adult for crissake - grow a spine and make your own decision!)
i have to wait for the paycheck this friday. (write a delayed check!)
i'm on a budget. (o jolie good - let's add this to your budget)
i've got to get a job and make some money first. (help me out here, and then i'll help you out in your part of the market.. let's get the economy going, ok??)
i'm saving for christmas. (well.. what do you think i'm selling you? a hanukkah gift??)
i'll have my boyfriend/husband/slave buy it for me. (spoiled brat!)
will you be here tomorrow? (nnno... i'm moving to yugoslavia tonight)

and the most common...
i have to think about it. (WHAT'S TO THINK??? never in the history of humanity has a customer went home, sat down, thought it over while scratching his head, said mmmmm, and then came to the conclusion YES! I'LL BUY IT!! here - sit down. this is the thinking chair, think all you'd like. want me to scratch the back of your head for you?)

demo sales are basically constructed from III fundamental stages:
I. stopping the mam.
II. giving the verbal shpeal along with practical demo.
III. closing the deal.

the first two are easy to learn. within a week you get those down. but you're not a good salesperson if you can't master the third part. close the deal, selling as many products as you can for the best price possible, while leaving the customer satisfied with a feeling that money was spent on products with great value.

there is so much more to sales. it's an art. by practicing it i'm developing my interpersonal traits, business and negotiating skills, and feminine side. (after all, i've been selling hair stylers and cosmetics).

i left portland a fortnight after arriving. the company i was working for didn't suit my style. they were more into the whole sweatshop thing. not my cup of tea. life is too short for bad bosses. so off i went.

next stop: san fransicso.