
 |
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon With its colorful cache of purples and oranges and reds, COLLARD GREEN SLAW is a marvelous mood booster --- not to mention just downright delish
April 18, 2014
Rabbi Yonason Goldson: Clarifying one of the greatest philosophical conundrums in theology
John Ericson: Trying hard to be 'positive' but never succeeding? Blame Your Brain
The Kosher Gourmet by Julie Rothman Almondy, flourless torta del re (Italian king's cake), has royal roots, is simple to make, . . . but devour it because it's simply delicious
April 14, 2014
Rabbi Dr Naftali Brawer: Passover frees us from the tyranny of time
Eric Schulzke: First degree: How America really recovered from a murder epidemic
Georgia Lee: When love is not enough: Teaching your kids about the realities of adult relationships
Gordon Pape: How you can tell if your financial adviser is setting you up for potential ruin
Dana Dovey: Up to 500,000 people die each year from hepatitis C-related liver disease. New Treatment Has Over 90% Success Rate
Justin Caba: Eating Watermelon Can Help Control High Blood Pressure
April 11, 2014
Rabbi Hillel Goldberg: Silence is much more than golden
Susan Swann: How to value a child for who he is, not just what he does
Susan Scutti: A Simple Blood Test Might Soon Diagnose Cancer
Chris Weller: Have A Slow Metabolism? Let Science Speed It Up For You
April 9, 2014
Jonathan Tobin: Why Did Kerry Lie About Israeli Blame?
Samuel G. Freedman: A resolution 70 years later for a father's unsettling legacy of ashes from Dachau
Jessica Ivins: A resolution 70 years later for a father's unsettling legacy of ashes from Dachau
Matthew Mientka: How Beans, Peas, And Chickpeas Cleanse Bad Cholesterol and Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
April 8, 2014
Dana Dovey: Coffee Drinkers Rejoice! Your Cup Of Joe Can Prevent Death From Liver Disease
Chris Weller: Electric 'Thinking Cap' Puts Your Brain Power Into High Gear
April 4, 2014
Amy Peterson: A life of love: How to build lasting relationships with your children
John Ericson: Older Women: Save Your Heart, Prevent Stroke Don't Drink Diet
John Ericson: Why 50 million Americans will still have spring allergies after taking meds
Sarah Boesveld: Teacher keeps promise to mail thousands of former students letters written by their past selves
April 2, 2014
Dan Barry: Should South Carolina Jews be forced to maintain this chimney built by Germans serving the Nazis?
Frank Clayton: Get happy: 20 scientifically proven happiness activities
Susan Scutti: It's Genetic! Obesity and the 'Carb Breakdown' Gene
|
| |
Jewish World Review
Oct. 25, 2006
/ 3 Mar-Cheshvan, 5767
Understate the Case
By
Marty Nemko
|
|
|
|
|
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Mary and John both lost their jobs. Here's how they described their situation to their networking contacts:
MARY: Damn corporate America. They're always downsizing.
JOHN: It happens. I'll find another job.
Which person do you think made a better impression?
Bill and Sally are both interviewing for a job. Here's how they ended their interview:
BILL: (crowing, as many job hunting guides suggest, and speaking very rapidly): I believe I'm the right person for the job. Don't you agree?
SALLY: (In a moderate tone): Well, based on what I know about the job, it seems like a good fit for me, but what do you think?
Do you think Bill or Sally has a better chance of getting the job?
Patty and Dave both have a new idea they're pitching to their boss.
PATTY: (gushing): I've got this fantastic new idea.
DAVE: I have an idea. I'm wondering what whether you think it's any good?
Who do you think will get a better response?
In most U.S. subcultures (a counterexample might be the New York Jewish subculture,) it's wise to understate you case. Principles of marketing, psychology, even religion explain why:
Marketing. In the old days, hard-sell worked, but today, we're likely to turn off when we feel we're being sold-to. Would listening to this old-fashioned carnival huckster make you more or less likely to buy: "Step right up here, ladies and gentlemen, and let me tell you about Dr. CureAll's Magic Elixir, absolutely, positively guaranteed to cure headaches, stomach aches, diarrhea, practically whatever ails ya. And if you buy right now, I'll sell it to you for the low-low price-- for today only--of just $19.95. And if you act now, I'll throw in another bottle absolutely free. So who's ready to buy?"
I doubt it's you.
Psychology. Most people dislike feeling bullied or manipulated into making a decision. And especially if the pitch is made rapid-fire, which makes us less likely to fully understand it, we're even more wary. We like to feel in control, that we are in charge. So, we're more likely to react positively to a soft-sell approach. That gives us room to feel we are independently judging an idea's merit.
Religion. The large majority of Americans are Christians, and a core Christian value is, "Don't be too willful." Many Christians, consciously or unconsciously, view unbridled aggressiveness as defying G-d's will, trying to supersede the Lord's plan.
So, when you're trying to convince someone of something, when in doubt, understate your case. So, my friends, what are you waiting for?! Time's running out!! So, act now!!!! Take advantage of my AMAAAAZING advice!!!!!! Any one who takes my advice in the next 30 minutes, gets a bottle of Dr. CureAll's Magic Elixir absolutely free!
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
400+ of Dr. Nemko's published writings are on www.martynemko.com. Comment by clicking here.
Archives
© 2006, Dr. Marty Nemko
|
|
Columnists
Toons
Lifestyles
|