I find myself in a lot of conversations where someone is trying to sell me on a concept, and it isn’t working. The “ketchup” could be real estate, publishing, stereo configuration, etc. What’s frustrating is that the person starting the conversation has no real stake in selling the concept and seems to genuinely want to help. I try to hear them out, but like I said, it isn’t working. Then I obsess over whether or not they’re right, but it never seems to go anywhere. It’s maddening.
Other phrases associated with ketchup conversations are:
- You should see if you can afford ketchup.
- You shouldn’t be afraid to use ketchup.
- Don’t worry. You’re good enough to use ketchup.
- Now is the time to buy ketchup.
- I would buy ketchup if I was you, but I have kids, etc.
- Here’s the best way to put ketchup on your hot dogs.
I could go on.
If this is peer pressure, people having to suffer this every day must have miserable lives. Let marketers do their own gadamn marketing, and not use consumers to do it for them. Stupid guilt trip tactics!
You know what really helps stop this kind of thing? Leather jackets. You should really look into buying a leather jacket. I own three of them. I can totally see you wearing one.
You should do it.
I just love sentences that begin with “You know what you should do?” Just LOVE them. Is my sarcasm coming through?
To Rene: I’m not necessarily against consumer-driven marketing. I’ve gotten a lot of good advice from friends about products and service that help with things that I care about. It’s when someone is trying to sell me something I don’t care about that I get annoyed.
To Bobby: Must… buy… leather… jacket…
To Lance: Hopefully you’ve never answered they’re question when they ask, “You know what you should do?”