Isn't that the first thought that comes to mind when you are approached by a Quixtar representative or with someone with a "business proposition"?
In my 8 years in the US, I have had 6 such moments when I wanted to strangle the person luring me into the world of quick money and fake dreams.
First time I had my brush with these folks was in Akron where in the name of a harmless presentation, I and a few of my newbie friends were called to a senior's house. On reaching there, we had a nicely dressed guy literally "setting up his shop" with a white board and a massive dream to sell. Like a storybook, he starts talking about how the McDonald's franchise got where it is today. An hour later, with the hardsell still going strong, the whole group collectively decided on an emphatic NO.
Few weeks later with a good "bad experience" about this business proposition, I had another brush with this nonsense. Unfortunately, I was cornered and I ended up with a one-on-one session. The first question I am asked is "What is your dream car?" An honest answer like a Toyota Camry did nothing but fuel the tempo in the associate to tell me, "you should dream about a BMW or a Mercedes". I believe my answer to that gentleman was, I am here in the US with little to no money in my pocket, with an on-campus job and a Master's degree to finish, you better take your mantra to some other unsuspecting FoB (Fresh off the Boat). End of story.
These buggers have no conscience in the fact that the students who come from India with a degree to get have dreams of their own, that is to get an education and start their careers in their the field of their choice and not to fall prey to a guy who has nothing but few pamphlets to distribute and then earn the money for those sitting at the top of the food chain. A lot of them get sucked into this act.
A year later, one of my friends from my engineering days wanted to pay a visit from Toledo. Great thing but little did I know he is going to "sell" me on the dream that he has fallen for. This time, I was given a CD to listen to and few days later my answer was another "not my thing".
Got "caught" in Chicago thrice back in 2006. Once in a temple (of all places), wherein a decent looking Indian family got Kirti's attention by praising the dress that she was wearing. Unsuspectingly, we ended up in a conversation with the husband and Kirti was fawning over how cute the couple's kids were. 10 minutes later, we were exchanging telephone numbers. Back in the day, there were no friends, no colleagues and no family to hangout with, meaning desperate measures.
A little while after reaching home from the temple, we get a call from the husband with whom we were chit-chatting and he tells us to come to his place and that he had a "business proposition" to discuss. After 5 minutes of "not my cup of tea, not interested" etc. we hung up never to pick up his phone call again (and boy, did he try to get in touch with us!!)
The fifth time was in the most unique circumstances I could imagine ourselves in. We go to the DMV to get Kirti her DL and we meet 2 older gentlemen who were also there for renewing their DL. They end up coming in an old car which wouldn't start in the middle of winter. After seeing their sorry state, Kirti and I decide to help them out by staying back with them in the DMV until they get their vehicle started and getting them out of there. Of course, we exchanged telephone numbers only to be called the same day with an invitation to their home for being so nice to them by staying back. By telling them some other day we would come by to meet them and their families, the phone calls kept coming until the guy dropped a bomb on us by telling me to invest $2000 which will become a lot more in a "business proposition" that he had in mind. Sorry, but no thanks. This wouldn't be our first time.
Funnily, the last (and I am sure we will be targeted again) time we were in the midst of this was in a mall. I am with Kirti shopping and this guy in a nice suit walks past us and then comes back to me and tells me "your hair is gelled so nicely", Are you fu..ing serious. Did you just tell me my hair is gelled nicely. What a way to start a conversation. Then he tells me that I look familiar and I straightaway tell him, it is not possible since I live in Minneapolis (nice try, I thought). With him selling short of giving me his business card (which I refused), I said to myself, FOR THE LAST TIME, LEAVE ME ALONE.
I am sure you also have been the target of many of these dream-sellers. If you have, share your story and spread the word.. LEAVE ME ALONE.
In my 8 years in the US, I have had 6 such moments when I wanted to strangle the person luring me into the world of quick money and fake dreams.
First time I had my brush with these folks was in Akron where in the name of a harmless presentation, I and a few of my newbie friends were called to a senior's house. On reaching there, we had a nicely dressed guy literally "setting up his shop" with a white board and a massive dream to sell. Like a storybook, he starts talking about how the McDonald's franchise got where it is today. An hour later, with the hardsell still going strong, the whole group collectively decided on an emphatic NO.
Few weeks later with a good "bad experience" about this business proposition, I had another brush with this nonsense. Unfortunately, I was cornered and I ended up with a one-on-one session. The first question I am asked is "What is your dream car?" An honest answer like a Toyota Camry did nothing but fuel the tempo in the associate to tell me, "you should dream about a BMW or a Mercedes". I believe my answer to that gentleman was, I am here in the US with little to no money in my pocket, with an on-campus job and a Master's degree to finish, you better take your mantra to some other unsuspecting FoB (Fresh off the Boat). End of story.
These buggers have no conscience in the fact that the students who come from India with a degree to get have dreams of their own, that is to get an education and start their careers in their the field of their choice and not to fall prey to a guy who has nothing but few pamphlets to distribute and then earn the money for those sitting at the top of the food chain. A lot of them get sucked into this act.
A year later, one of my friends from my engineering days wanted to pay a visit from Toledo. Great thing but little did I know he is going to "sell" me on the dream that he has fallen for. This time, I was given a CD to listen to and few days later my answer was another "not my thing".
Got "caught" in Chicago thrice back in 2006. Once in a temple (of all places), wherein a decent looking Indian family got Kirti's attention by praising the dress that she was wearing. Unsuspectingly, we ended up in a conversation with the husband and Kirti was fawning over how cute the couple's kids were. 10 minutes later, we were exchanging telephone numbers. Back in the day, there were no friends, no colleagues and no family to hangout with, meaning desperate measures.
A little while after reaching home from the temple, we get a call from the husband with whom we were chit-chatting and he tells us to come to his place and that he had a "business proposition" to discuss. After 5 minutes of "not my cup of tea, not interested" etc. we hung up never to pick up his phone call again (and boy, did he try to get in touch with us!!)
The fifth time was in the most unique circumstances I could imagine ourselves in. We go to the DMV to get Kirti her DL and we meet 2 older gentlemen who were also there for renewing their DL. They end up coming in an old car which wouldn't start in the middle of winter. After seeing their sorry state, Kirti and I decide to help them out by staying back with them in the DMV until they get their vehicle started and getting them out of there. Of course, we exchanged telephone numbers only to be called the same day with an invitation to their home for being so nice to them by staying back. By telling them some other day we would come by to meet them and their families, the phone calls kept coming until the guy dropped a bomb on us by telling me to invest $2000 which will become a lot more in a "business proposition" that he had in mind. Sorry, but no thanks. This wouldn't be our first time.
Funnily, the last (and I am sure we will be targeted again) time we were in the midst of this was in a mall. I am with Kirti shopping and this guy in a nice suit walks past us and then comes back to me and tells me "your hair is gelled so nicely", Are you fu..ing serious. Did you just tell me my hair is gelled nicely. What a way to start a conversation. Then he tells me that I look familiar and I straightaway tell him, it is not possible since I live in Minneapolis (nice try, I thought). With him selling short of giving me his business card (which I refused), I said to myself, FOR THE LAST TIME, LEAVE ME ALONE.
I am sure you also have been the target of many of these dream-sellers. If you have, share your story and spread the word.. LEAVE ME ALONE.
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