Merepek

Many months ago, I got a call from one of my clients, Mr D requesting to meet me in the evening because he wanted to hand me some outstanding documents.

So, at the appointed time, I arrived at the small cafe and found him and his wife tucking into their dinner. Thought I'd just collect the documents and go off but he casually asked if I was rushing off to another appointment. When I answered no, he insisted that I join them. OK lah, I then ordered a drink and chatted with them. Very quickly he finished his dinner and then dropped the bombshell - he and his wife 'cordially invite' me to join them for a talk to be held in 10 minutes time at an office one floor above the cafe. Aiyah, me and my big mouth - just too late to cook up an excuse to run off. I had fallen into a 'trap'.

The wife literally held my hand and led me up the narrow stairway to the small office where we found close to 20 people already crammed inside. There were a few rows of chairs and on the table in front was a projector. On two other bigger tables were displayed the products that the 'talk' was all about - water filters!

Shortly the lights dimmed and the moderator/host presented a short video clip showing how dirty the water source is and also some gwailos doing some tests and extolling the virtues of that special brand of water filter.....blah, blah, blah. Five minutes into it, and my mind was already somewhere else working on overdrive. I was all fidgety and had the urge to just walk out but as I did not want to appear rude or offensive, I sat it out for the next hour or so, miserable to the bone. Yippee, finally the lights came on again and I just jumped off my seat and quickly bade Mr D and wife goodnight. But Mr D said it was not over yet; they would do a product demonstration and then show a business plan to help make us millionaires! I had to spin a new tale before I finally managed to wriggle free. Phew!

That was the second time I was led and cornered to attend a talk where I had not been given prior notice or invitation - the first time was many, many years ago and if I remember right, it was about selling some kind of expensive mattress. Is this the normal modus operandi?

Really, I have nothing against the hosts or the business and the business model they present. There is nothing wrong in doing business, right? Maybe some of the business plans are truly brilliant and can help make you into a millionaire. It is just that I can't handle surprises too well and am not comfortable with the way they 'invite' their unsuspecting friends.