For example, suppose Im introduced to someone and the first words out
of her mouth are, Oh, youre a writer. When are you going to write the great
American novel? Yikes, I know Im taling with someone who is unfamiliar
with my world. Well chat, but I prefer to change the subject. And soon, my
conversation partner.
If, however, my new acquaintance says, Oh youre a writer. Do you write
fiction or nonfiction? Bingo! Now I know Im with a person who knows
about my world. Why? Because that is the first question all writers ask each
other. I enjoy talking to this inquisitor because I presume she has more
insights into the wriing world. Even if we quickly get off the subject of
writing, she has come across as a well-informed individual.
Every job, every sport, every interest has insider opening quetions that
everybody in the same field asksand its dumb ousider questions that they
never ask each other. When an astronaut meets another astronaut, he asks,
What missions have you been on? (Never How do you go to the bathroom
up there?) A detist asks another dentist, Are you in general practice or do
you have a specialty? (Never Heard any good pain jokes lately?)
The good news is beginning Jobbledygook is an easy language. You
dont need to master buzzwords, only a few opening questions
to make you sound like an insider. Thenheres the fun part when you tell
them youre not connected to their field, theyre all the more impressed.
What a knowledgeable person! they say to themselves.
Help! Everybody There Will Be an Artist
Its not hard to harvest good Jobbledygook. Lets say youve been invited
to a gallery opening where youll be meeting many artists. If you dont speak
artist, go through your Rolodex to see if you have an artist friend or two.
Aha, you found one. Well, sort of. Your friend Sally attended art school.
You call her up and ask, Sally, I know this sounds silly but Ive been invited
to an event where Im bound to be talking with a lot of artists. Could you
give me a few good questions to ask? Sally might find your query a tad
unusual, but your diligence should impress her.
Maybe shell say, Well, ask artists what medium they work in. Medium?
you ask. Sure, shell tell you. Thats the insiders way to ask if they
work with acrylics, oil, charcoal, pen, and so forth. Oh.
Dont ask artists to describe their work, she warns. They feel theirs is a
visual medium that cant be described.
ooja
(Ooja)
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