Unite Southampton

I met a bloke called Phil yesterday. Only very briefly, but I want to publicly register my thanks to him. It was like this.

I work part time as in sales for a small IT firm in Romsey. Heading back from a meeting with a prospective customer in Ringwood I met Phil Turns out Phil is a great salesman. As I passed him he gave me a friendly smile and simple greeting. I couldn't help but engage him. He was so unassuming and, well, just plain friendly. It's hard to ignore that kind of thing.

So now, on the table next to me, is a copy of the Big Issue. Phil even seemed surprised when I asked him if I could buy one (maybe it was the suit).

I learnt something about selling from Phil yesterday. It's easy to say "no thanks" as you hurry by someone who shouts "Big Issue" at you as you walk past. Yet with Phil, I couldn't do that. I had caught his eye, engaged with him. It genuinely didn't seem to matter to Phil if I bought one off him or not. It must have done; it's the difference between eating or not to him. The result was I actually asked him for one.  If I lived in Ringwood, I'd get one off him every week.

I also learned something off him about being a human being. Phil seemed more interested in having a few moments of friendly interaction with me than he was in selling me a Big Issue. Is that how I am with people? I am in it for them, or just for getting out of a situation what I want?

Thanks Phil.