Oh, this just creeped me out today.
Pull up to a stop light and immediately guys selling flowers, toys (or hot water bottles) run up and attempt to sell their wares. I smile, say no, and look straight ahead (I drive with doors locked, thanks to Lina E). If he asks again, I roll up the window. If he knocks on the window, I pull up. My ‘no’ always means ‘no’. No amount of wheedling is going to get me to part with hard-earned dananeer in this economy.
I’m all for free enterprise, but not the ‘in-yer-face’ tactics. I do buy flowers sometimes, but I can tell they are there a km away. If I don’t wave the guy down, I’m not interested. I hate having to pretend the person doesn’t exist to get them to move on. It’s not an affirmation of human dignity, in my mind.
Today, an arrogant young man seemed convinced I was dying to by some of those bam-boo-ey plants. I said no, and before I could roll up the window, he put his arm up on the roof of the car and STUCK HIS FACE IN MY CAR.
The aromatic arm-pit was pungent, olifactory torture. The zits on his nose were close enough to pick. The breath decidedly unbrushed, remnants of lunch between his teeth. This was a SERIOUS invasion of my personal space, violating boundaries only my husband, kids and friends I kiss are allowed in. I was mortified, he was not. That sorry face is now etched in my memory banks. I had a hard time affirming the dignity of that member of humanity, Lord forgive me.
He didn’t believe it when I rolled up the window on him, almost losing his head and a few zits in the process of delaying a quick enough exit. If he ever comes near my car again, I will yell.
Tell me about it! I once bought a bunch of flowers from one of them after he haggled me to do so and then I throw them on the ground… I’m not proud of it but I was THAT not interested
Ewwww, too much indeed. I’m always rather tempted to buy from the ones who take the no gracefeully and speak hopefully of next time…
Oh, brother! One guy threw a box of apricots into my car and they spilled everywhere as I was trying to get my cash out. Then he grabbed for my wallet and I also rolled him into the window. It is very hard to be friendly and kind when these guys exceed the limits of manners and good business.
Ola, yea, a little self-protection instinct would help these guys!
MB, me too. In fact, I have bought things I only marginally needed and told them it was a reward because they didn’t BUG me about it.
Um Omar, eeeeyuck, and then who wants to eat the apricots??? What nerve to grab at your wallet!!! Makes me want to visit their mom and yell at her.
Wow, sorry to hear that. I’ve had people jiggle the door handle, like they were trying to open the car. THANKFULLY, the door was locked. After I say no, thank you, if they keep hanging around, insisting, I just lay on the horn. I know that probably sounds like a jerk, but I just don’t want the stuff/junk.
I don’t mean to sound insensitive, I know this is their livelihood. (sp?) I have bought many things before. But, sometimes you just don’t want or need the stuff/junk. No means No.
ewwwwwwwwwww……i guess he does not know when to stop…
Having a handy camera (even if it’s not working) is a proven protection, they usually start hiding their faces with their all seasons t-shirt and move away.
They have Mace there, right? I’m totally good with Mace.
Michon, no guilt babe, you are not a jerk not insensitive. They are the ones invading our lives rudely. Jigglign the door handle is just MISH MA3UUUL!!!
Sam, yea, I bet it’s been a problem since childhood.
Jad, thanks for the excuse to bug hubby for a camera phone!!! Even a broken one!!!
Marvin, yea, mace sounds good. I should ask Jad where to get that here. for me son when he starts riding in taxis, too. His cologne “Axe” would work well, too.
Mace? are you preparing for civil war?
LOL, Jad! Mace for street-vendor warfare, AXE cologne for civil war!!!
I should get myself some training before the expat kids take it over.
JAD, you are so funny! Yea, like they took over Sweifiyyeh last Thursday, crazy bunch of white shabaab.
I have to warn you, if you start wearing Axe cologne the fiance=finding mission is OFF. It makes be gag and cough, much like mace would, I imagine.
So do they sell mace in Amman?
Maybe hairspray would work just as well.
I will start planting land-mines around the garden, you know the one that throw candy box when triggered.
if you go downtown you should find different designs of MACEs and maybe some better stuff. I always wanted to take photos of that market to document and blog about it but I don’t want to get kicked badly.
Maze,AXE and land-mines that throw candy box when triggered.Thanks, that might come in handy for me here in USA too.Does the candy shoot straight into the mouth of the person that triggers it off,by the way?That would be frightening to me,who is constantly watching her figure,lol.It sounds like great technology,I wonder who came up with that discovery?What’s shooting ice cream with all the fat into female’s mouths?*She shudders now at the sheer thought of it.
Jad, you are still making me laugh!
Krystal, heh-heh, I’d be chasing peopel down who shot with ice cream!
So you recommend “Axe” highly,hmm, as a repellent Kinzi for hunks that are getting unwanted female attention? Like for instant female stalkers and women that sexually harass men.Females like the movie “Fatal Attraction” portrays,a woman totally obsessed with another woman’s man.It’s hard to believe that there are women out there so totally obsessed with men that if they can’t have them no one can.That’s scary,even the mere thought of it.
Be aware of them because they often can become highly dangerous.Let’s take a close-up view of them.First of all, one of the signs that women are obsessed with men is that they will talk about them continually and in details.Another for sure sign of an obsession, is that they will be focused completly on them and everything will revolve around meeting with “the men”.These are some tell tale signs to look out for,but there are more.