Two days ago, I had an encounter that left me reflecting on persistence, feedback, and growth.

I was parked outside a bakery in my hometown, waiting for my friend to finish shopping. A man approached me, holding packets of pappad.

“Would you like to buy some?” he asked.
I politely declined.

But he wouldn’t give up. He began pleading, asking if I could take just one packet. I said no, repeatedly, but he persisted. Frustrated, I finally told him, “If you’re going to beg like this, you won’t get far in your sales career.”

He stiffened slightly and replied, “I wasn’t begging—I was just asking you to buy.”

He continued explaining himself. I thought he might feel better if I simply listened, so I gave him a minute. He explained how he wasn’t pleading, why it wasn’t begging, and why I had misunderstood.

When he finished, I calmly said, “You came to sell me something. I felt you were being pushy and told you. I may be right, I may be wrong—you can take it or leave it. You wanted to explain, and I listened. Now it’s even. So, bye.”

For a moment, he seemed to reflect on what I said. Then, as if something clicked, he asked, “So, you mean I was being pushy?”

“Yes,” I replied, “now you’re getting it.” 😁

And then something remarkable happened. His tone shifted entirely. He seemed to take the feedback to heart and started pitching differently as if he was doing a roleplay in a sales training. “Sir, this pappad is made at a home near mine. It’s made with the best ingredients, no chemicals, and is healthy and delicious. Would you like to try?”

I smiled. “Now that “would-you-like-to-try” part sounds better.”

I explained that not all strategies work everywhere and he may still have to use some of his old ways as long as he is selling the current items but learning and adapting is key. I bought a packet for ₹30 and wished him well. (Yeah, the coach paid for the coaching. 🥹)

All the best to that young salesman. He might just go far.

Vineeth Vinnie
Corporate Human Skills Coach