“My day planner is crammed full. Something needs to go,” commented Cheryl.
Liam grinned to himself. “Yeah, right,” he thought, having heard all this before.
“I know one thing for sure. All these product-pushing parties have to stop, ” Cheryl continued. “There’s nothing I need, but you always feel obligated to buy something if you attend.”
“Jewelry? Makeup? Lingerie? Kitchen equipment? Really, you’re not going to ANY of them any more?”
“Well—-I really could use some up-to-date jewelry, but there’s nothing else I need.”
Liam laughed. “So, when’s the jewelry party?” he said.
“Oh, stop!”
Just Writing! 
And it was such an easy solution. If only ……
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Hah! I quit those parties, myself… no matter how hard you try, you get snookered into buying just one piece…
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Exactly!
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Addiction comes in many forms. If only there were rehab for shopping addictions.
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My addiction is chocolate. I hate to shop, unless it’s for chocolate 🙂
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Mmm… Chocolate.
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Everything in moderation is the key 🙂
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Dear Linda,
There was a point where it seemed I was going to one of those parties every week. But then, my sister-in-law was a Tupperware dealer and I sold Mary Kay for a season. I can tell you that working full time as a cake decorator was less work. 😉 Good story. I could hear this conversation.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I sold needlework craft kits when all that sort of thing was a hot commodity. Fun, but I didn’t mind stopping.
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Can’t say as I’ve ever had an invite to any party of the sort. I don’t wear makeup, rarely wear any jewelry, and don’t have tuperware or the like in my home. I’ve never even been to an Avon or MaryKay party. Somehow, I don’t feel like I’ve missed anything because of it. Great take on the prompt.
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I’ve been to my share, but don’t intend to EVER do it again 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting .
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she needs to set one up herself to even the score. 🙂
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🙂
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Great conversation, I could almost hear them! Excellent Linda.
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Thanks, Keith.
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I’ve been to many such parties in the past, but always felt obliged to buy something even if nothing inspired me. Now I shop when I want something, not to avoid offending a friend.
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Exactly.
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We always seem to be “needing” something, don’t we?
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Yep. And long ago, my parents taught us the difference between “need” and “want.”
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That’s something I tried to convey to my daughter from a young age. A valuable lesson, in my opinion.
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Cheryl’s hooked, I’m afraid! I’d feel somewhat obligated to buy something too, I think.
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🙂
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I agree, but then again these parties are social occasions where you do get to meet lots of people. Nothing like a bit of gossip and a chat to entertain.
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Yes, and I’m not saying they’re evil 🙂 I think I’ve just reached the point in my life at which there is really nothing more I truly NEED to buy—except maybe toilet paper and groceries 🙂
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Cheryl needs a lot of things. I think she is pushing Liam to commit to buy a few things for her. Otherwise who does not like to go to a party where one can buy new things?
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He knows her too well. Hope he hides the credit cards 😀.
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She knows she can’t keep going to these parties, yet she can’t stop herself. Addiction comes in all forms! I believe she’ll need to start hanging around different people – those who don’t hold or attend product parties – if she’s serious about kicking the habit.
You’ve done a good job portraying the dynamics in her relationship with Liam.
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There is a pressure to buy when your friends are selling… but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work any longer.
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Product parties almost always count on you feeling obligated to buy or giving in to temptation.
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Yes. I started just automatically saying NO several years ago. I have lots of friends and acquaintances, and I was on way too many hostess lists and “potential recruit” lists. Gets tiresome after awhile 🙂
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Yup…true to life, right here! lol
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It’s something everyone has to go through. I sold lots of home
party items to make ends meet and because I wanted to stay at
home with my kids. It was better than getting a job and leaving them.
It’s something I avoid now as much as possible. Yes, you can’t go to
one and not feel obligated to buy something. I enjoyed the walk down
memory lane, Linda. Loved the dialog …
Isadora 😎
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Thanks, Isadora. I did the same, but with only one product that I genuinely loved–needlework craft kits, while such things were a fad and easy to sell. Glad I don’t have to do it any more.
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Me too … ~~~ : – )
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Haha obligated indeed. I try to avoid those sorts of party’s ! I’d spend way too much
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Having tried Amway, I know how impossible that world is
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Amway. Are they still in business? My grandfather did very well with Amway, but that was a long time ago.
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They’re still around. Betsy De Vos is the daughter in law of one of its founders
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I am really so glad to be here for your wonderful article.
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