Sales Parties

[plinkadinka]

I disapprove of being invited to someone's home under the guise of attending a 'party' when the real intention is for the hostess to gain in some manner from having allowed a stranger to sell me something.

I do not use candles and makeup. If I need a plastic container for Cheerios, I'll buy one at a store for 1/3 the party price...or better yet, I can use the handy-dandy box that they came in!!! I wouldn't be caught dead with flags in my garden or mirrors, pictures, or shelves on my walls that are identical to every single one of my friends and neighbors. I have much more style than that! On top of all this, if I buy something that's in the store, I am able to bring it home with me immediately. I never have to pay even MORE money on shipping, handling, and unexplained fees that are heaped upon the overpriced item that arrives four to six weeks later.

The above is only the tip of the iceberg with me. I could go on endlessly!!!

One certain young woman has invited me to about ten different parties. I have managed to beg off from all but one of them that cost me $43 for something that is still sitting in a box. I have actually told her that I didn't care to be invited to any more of them, but she is relentless.

What kind of phrase can I use to make this crystal clear without jeopardizing our friendship? I really don't want to ignore her. I think that is more rude than her constant invitations.

There must be hundreds of clever minds out there who've come up with some very clever comebacks. Speak up!

[jaimegerise]

What kind of phrase can I use to make this crystal clear without jeopardizing our friendship? I really don't want to ignore her. I think that is more rude than her constant invitations.

I'd say "Buzz off" but I don't that's the kind of phrase you are looking for. LOL

I know what you mean though. This kind of thing drives me crazy!

But I have attended parties before...mostly for the free food and stuff they have to make it seem more "party" like. And I say that I can't buy anything then, but offer to take a catalog or something and say I'll think about it. That's all that's ever happened for me.

I've also used the old..."Oh I forgot the _____ party was last night!" LOL

[Alec]

I think being direct works best. "I don't like these parties. Do not invite me to any more of them." Just keep saying it over and over. The other option is to just throw the invitations in the trash and forget about it. I disagree. It is not rude to throw the invitations away when you have asked to stop receiving them. At this point, you have opted out, and they are spam.

If she continues to invite you, be even more direct. "I value our friendship, so I cannot understand why you keep inviting me after I have clearly told you to stop. Will you explain it to me?"

She's an adult. If she is offended by that, then I wouldn't count her a very good friend.

[jaimegerise]

Ohhhh, Alec, good answer, I'll remember that for myself!

[plinkadinka]

One of the problems that I failed to mention was the uncomfortable position the 'hostess' puts me in when she asks if I will be attending the event.

A co-worker gave me this tidbit. What she does is reply immediately - and she means within minutes of having received the invitation - that she will be unable to attend. She gives no reason and feels that it's none of anyone's business, anyway. She relates this and then quickly changes the subject. She says that they eventually give up sending the invitations.

Here's another pretty funny idea that someone mentioned, but I don't think I'd have the guts to try it. One of the young women in our office said that she was sick to death of these things, too. She found the best way to help the hostesses remember not to invite her again was to write up a huge order for several hundreds of dollars worth of stuff and then ask the hostess if she'd be able to loan her the money for the stuff, promising to repay it in two or three months. They always refuse and never invite her back for fear of being asked again. If your friend is so nice that she would actually make this kind of loan, make sure that you cancel the order before you leave the house or you're morally (and probably legally) obligated. Mumble something about not knowing what you were thinking while you rip the order up into little pieces and exit promptly.

[jamesglewisf]

You could always wet your pants while sitting on her sofa. Just tell her you lose bladder control when you get excited, and sales parties are very exciting to you. I'll bet you would never get invited back.

OK. Maybe that's not proper etiquette. It's probably better to follow Alec's advice and just be honest.

[jaimegerise]

James, that was hilarious!!!