I was in OfficeMax today and I was standing next to a lady in the organizer aisle. All of a sudden, a young guy stops and talks to her:
Young Man: Excuse me, but I see you in here all the time and you always look so good. Always so professional, I just wanted to tell you that.
Woman: (unnerved) Uh… well, thank you. I… I buy my office supplies here, that’s why I come.
YM: Well, you look fabulous. What line of work are you in?
Woman: I’m a realtor, I just needed to pick up an organizer–
YM: A realtor, how great! Where do you work generally?
W: Well, I used to be in Florida, but now I work north Atlanta bec–
YM: I’m from Florida! What part?!
W: Uh, Tampa.
YM: Me, too! Listen, I just have to give you my card. If you’re ever thinking of changing careers, I could use someone like you. A lot of people who work with us used to be in real estate. I work for Mary Kay…
W: Oh, I don’t–
YM: Don’t worry I don’t sell anything. I’ve got more important things to do than hawk lipstick. I’m in the seminar-giving part, we teach people about leadership. You’d be great. Do you have a card with you?
W: Well, yes, somewhere (shuffles in purse)
YM: Here’s mine. I just think you’d be fabulous at our seminars.
W: I should have a card more ready, I suppose, as a realtor, but–
YM: I know what you mean. They’re hard to keep up with, those things.
W: Here.
YM: Great! I’m definitely going to give you a call. You’d be great. It was great meeting you! I’ve got to go get MY office supplies! (walks away)
(beat)
W: (turning to me) That was the oddest thing that’s happened to me in a long time.
Me: I’m so excited I could be here for it.
W: (laughs, and walks away shaking her head)
Not to be cynical, but two words – “Landmark Forum”
They’re a public speaking cult, incredibly creepy people, and this sounds exactly like one of their come ons.
Weeeird…
You’re right. I looked them up here:
http://skepdic.com/landmark.html
http://www.landmarkeducation.com/
And that does sound like them. Freaks. I wish I’d gotten her card. I would’ve warned her. Although, she seemed to see him as the ridiculous little man he was.
Re: Weeeird…
It is weird indeed. I saw a friend of a friend get sucked into it. They’re not a cult about loving other people or becoming a better person. It’s more about beeing a greedy son of a bitch and being okay with it, at least that’s my take. They go after white collar folks and maintain a business seminar facade and breed some of the most smug and sanctimonious people…