Columbus, Kentucky; Columbus, Mississippi; Columbus, Montana;
Columbus, Nebraska; Columbus, New Jesey; Columbus, New Mexico;
Columbus, North Carolina; Colubus, North Dakota; Columbus,
Pennsylvania; Columbus, Texas; and Columbus, Wisconsin. That spreads
the conversational possbilities to fifteen other states. Remember, as a
quotable notable once said, No man would listen to you talk if he didnt
know it was his turn next.
A postscript to the hellish experience I had with Columbus. Months
later, I mentioned the trauma to my speaker friend from Columbus, Jeff.
Jeff explained his house was really in a smaller town just minutes outside
Columbus.
What town, Jeff?
Gahanna, Ohio. Gahanna means hell in Hebrew, he said, and then went
on to explain why he thought ancient Hebrew hitorians were clairvoyant.
Thanks, Jeff, I knew youd never lay a naked city on any of your
listeners.
How to Come Out a Winner Every Time They Ask, And What Do You
Do?
Third only to death and taxes is the assurance a new acquaintance will
soon chirp, And what do you do? (Is it fitting and proper they should make
that query? Well pick up that sticky wicket later.) For the moment, these
few defensive moves help you keep your crackerjack communicator
credentials when asked the inevitable question.
First, like Never the Naked City, dont toss a short-shrift answer in
response to the askers breathless inquiry. You leave the poor fish flopping
on the deck when you just say your title: Im an actuary/an auditor/an
author/an astrophysicist. Have mercy so he or she doesnt feel like a
nincompoop outsider asking, What, er, kind of actuizing (auditing,
authoring, or astrophysizing) do you do?
Youre an attorney. Dont leave it to laymen to try to figure out what you
really do. Flesh it out. Tell a little story your converstion partner can get a
handle on. For example, if youre talking with a young mother say, Im an
attorney. Our firm specializes in employment law. In fact, now Im involved
in a case where a comHow to Come Out a Winner Every Time They Ask,
And What Do You Do? 69
Technique #16
Never the Naked Job
ooja
(Ooja)
#1