I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Today’s stoic reminds me of sales people and some of the tactics they employ. If it’s too good to be true it probably is. Sales people often offer ridiculous deals that can lead to more trouble than the initial gift is worth. I remember entertaining a door-to-door salesman a couple years ago after we had moved in to our new house. I don’t often deal with sales people. I’ll usually tell them straight up that I’m good and will pass.

In this case I was in a mood willing to entertain the idea. I’ve read a lot about social engineering, studied body language, and even given a talk on how the blue team can use social engineering in their day-to-day work. I’m well prepared for the tactics that salesman will try to use on me. In this case it was a sharply dressed gentleman with avatar sunglasses. He said something to the effect of, “If I gave you this $100 would you do XYZ?” I said no and his reaction was straight out of a daytime soap opera. His mouth was wide open and he was aghast that I would say no. I laughed inside at the reaction. It was a tactic to try and make me feel like a moron. Regardless, it was something I didn’t want nor need, so I passed and I don’t think I’ve regretted it since.