We have all encountered it more than once. You go to a clothing store and the salesperson tells you how good you look in that outfit you just tried on. The more expensive it is, the better it supposedly looks. We all think that this so-called flattery is not sincere, because the salesperson just wants to sell you something. Right?
Think about it. Of course he or she wants to sell you something, but most salesperson do not get paid on commission, but on a predetermined wage. Besides, they know that you, as a customer, probably expect them to flatter you and expect it to be insincere. However, knowing this, a salesperson might want to be sincere, to make you believe that they actually mean it. This sounds contradictory, but it is not. It is based on trust. If you encounter the same salesperson several times and he has given you a true and fair opinion from the beginning about how the clothes look on you, don't you want to go back to that same salesperson the next time you need clothes? Because you trust his opinion? So that you know you actually do look good in the clothes that you buy?
This does not mean that flattery does not work. Even though people don't think they should believe the positive comments offered by a salesperson, they love to here them. People will believe them because they want to believe them. To make them feel good about themselves. Tell a customer that he looks horrible and he will run away and probably never return. So yes, flattery might be insincere, that much is true. However, before you disregard a compliment right away, just think about it first. Look in the mirror. 'Do I look good? Yes, actually I do.' Sincere compliment accepted.
By the way, you there, behind the screen. You look good reading this blog! You should definitely do that more often!
Sometimes it would even be better to sligthly insult the customer, by saying she doesn't look so well in the outfit she tried on (note this is different than saying she looks awful). Not because she wants to be insulted, but because the sales person might seem more reliable. It all depends on a good mixture of little insults and sincere complements. Try it! It works even in other situations in which you want to win her trust!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI like your writing, but I'm so annoyed you use blogspot, because it doesn't work well on Android ;).