^$#@$%^!&

I am going to talk about direct sales AGAIN.

Well, I think that the friends who know me well enough should know that I have bad experiences dealing with people doing direct sales.

When I mean bad, it is really BAD! The ways of some people doing business have really disappointed me in what they are selling, and also their personalities plus my faith in regarding such people as friends.

Maybe you will think that I am just making a mountain over a molehill. But, this is really something kinda unbearable for me.

Unfortunately, it happens again this time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A close friend of mine, FF asked me out when I told her that I was back in home. She called me on Saturday evening and asked me to go yamcha at that evening. But, that was the time I have to start preparing for my family's dinner.

FF, "Wah... You cook ar... Tell your mum to cook la..."

Me, "Haha... Have to help a bit when back in home la..."

Then she asked me to go Gunung Lambak with her, her boyfriend and another friend of hers on Sunday.

Well, I am not interested of going to Gunung Lambak with some strangers.

What I mean is... I prefer to go there with some of my long-known friends. I think that is more interesting of having fun with old friends than some strangers who I have just known for a few minutes ago. It is SO awkward!

And actually I know that her boyfriend is in that line. That makes me even more reluctant to join them. I found myself a reason that I need to stay home and help my mum for something on Sunday morning.

FF, "Aiya... Just tell your mum that you already have an APPOINTMENT and not free tomorrow morning la..."

Oh... I forget to mention about her very busy life with a lot of appointments. PC has been quite "beh song" with her always mention about her loads of appointments when she dates her out several times for a short meet as if she is really that BUSY.

Me, "Whoa... You talk as if I were some kind of businessman who are doing millions of business... Where got so many appointments oo..."

She stunned, and unable to answer me back.

And I soon changed the topic.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

That night, Chok asked me out to yamcha with DaTou, TK and ChiaHeng. But I chose to stay home and watch VCD with my mum instead of joining their men's talk. I was back in home about 12am on Saturday. And I have been outside nearly the half day with my brother. I really have no mood and energy to go out anymore.

Then FF sms-ed me, asked me out for a drink. I replied her that I was tired and prefer to stay at home.

Then she said, "So long did not meet you already... Wanna chat with you also cannot..."

Oh well... I have long forgotten of how many times she used this reason for turning down my dates. Is that she is the only one who can feel tired and rest at home?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

She called me again on Sunday afternoon while I was cooking my lunch.

FF, "Walao-A! Do you need to cook everyday o?"

Me, "Haha.. It is not easy to get pocket money from mum ler... Sure have to do something la..."

Since I have time and also energy, I went out with her for a while after I have done with my cooking. We went to U-Kopitiam. She had lunch with her boyfriend, ZhiWei, while I only had a drink as I have had my lunch at home.

Then she told me in a very formal way that she has joined LB. Actually I have guessed about it long ago but just did not say it out.

She said, "I regard you as my friend. So I think that I should seriously tell you that I have actually joined LB for a couple of months. What do you think of me joining it?"

Me, "Ooo.. I see. So... How are you doing with it?"

FF, "So far it is still okay. I think that it is actually something good if one really puts in effort to work on it."

Me, "Ooo.. Then hope that you can do it well. Don't be the usual you who always give up half way when doing something."

And we both laughed.

ZhiWei, who was quiet eating his food all the time finally talked when we mentioned about LB. He talked about the motivation, possibility of being success and also the bright future of what they are doing now.

A-hem... So THIS IS IT!

I listened politely and patiently on what they told me. Well, there is actually no harm of listening to what they are doing, even though I don't really like that way of doing business.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We went to PC's house after that since the girl was too busy to come out as she had to help her second brother and sister-in-law to take care of the two kids since her parents and eldest brother and sister-in-law were not in.

Luckily, that is only a simple meet and no business involved.

We played with the kids. The elder one is a boy, who entertained us with his toys, sour plums and also teddy biscuits. The younger one is a girl, who is so chubby until people give her the nickname "Michelin".

(Yes, the tire brand!)

You will understand this if you have the chance to look at the 7-month old baby girl.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This morning, FF sms-ed me.

This coming Saturday go to the talk with me, ok? I just want you to know more about this business even though i know you are not interested. But as a friend, I just want you to understand what I am doing. Believe me, you won't lose anything but you will get a lot of things.

Hmm... I have heard enough about all those "brainwashing" talk. Since I am not interested at all, I really can't find myself any reason of going. No point of wasting my time!

But I can't possible reject her rashly and directly since she is such a close friend of mine. So I lied and told her that I have made an appointment with a house owner to see a room as I will move out from where I stay now.

(Actually that "appointment" is tonight. Ya, I know that I am bad to lie to a friend. But, this is a lie for good purpose. Can I be forgived?)

She really have very strong determination now:

Well, I just hope that you can attend. How about Monday night?

Oh... I really have planned something on. I told her that since she is not going to stay in my place for the weekend, so I have planned to go home on Saturday night or Sunday morning before I have my exam on Friday.

Well, she called me one week ago telling me that she is coming to KL this weekend as she need to do SOMETHING and I do not know what is that "something" even though I asked her a few times about it. She may stay at my place if she could not find a place to stay. But then she said she will stay with some other friends who are coming along with her.

Then she said something which made me quite angry:

Go back for what? Did you study at home? Still waste your time and travel fees. As a friend, I know what you are thinking. Even though I know you will not join but you will still get a lot of information from that talk. Believe me.

Why does she think that it is "a waste of time and money" for me to go home? Hey! I do have something to do. And, do I need her approval when I plan to go home? Will a friend force me to go to some kind of talks when knowing that I am NOT interested at all?

Angry me typed her back:

I think I know clearly whether it will be a waste of time and money or not. Need to bring something back home and pack something back here since I will move soon. No transport here, home also no car can move all my things back at once. So can only travel a few more times. What else do you expect me to do?

She gave me some suggestions on what to do with my things:

Then why don't you just tumpang it at your friend's place? Then later you also need to move to other places when you have graduated.

Move now or in future, I still need to settle the problem. Why should I drag the things and give trouble to my friend? Does that make any sense?

Persistant her still won't give up. She tried to pursuade me of leaving my belongings with my friend, so that I no need to go home this weekend, and then I can go to the talk with her.

!#*&%#@$^&**^%$#

Angry me did not reply her any sms after that.

Fed-up enough, okay!!!!

Maybe I should not use such a soft way to reject her. A straight and harsh way of telling her off directly is more suitable.

My fault again.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Later on I told PC about this. She told me, "I advice you that better don't go la. No matter how also don't go. Coz this got some bomoh at the talk de.."

Haha... Her way of talking made me laugh till cannot tahan...

Bomoh... To think that this girl can think of such things =p Well, such talks are really known for their superb ability of brainwashing people.

Of course I will not force myself to do something which I don't like. But if things still going on like this, I really don't know how many times can I still reject her. One day, we might end up quarrel or having some sorts of conflict.

PC said that if she were me, she will do the same too. She has no idea of why did FF have such a great change in her attitude towards that line. FF used to hate doings sales A LOT!

I wonder what kind of psychology tactics they have used...