My son, Max, recently took a part-time job at the local grocery store. He juggles his work schedule around school and weekends, all in hopes of saving enough for a car—or perhaps a few burritos from Chipotle (I keep a close eye on our linked accounts!). Most of his shifts are spent ringing up customers, but sometimes he’s the one bagging items or collecting carts in the parking lot.
Last night, he was working as a cashier when you and your husband came through his line. It seemed like a pleasant exchange, especially as it was nearing the end of his shift. He likely welcomed the friendly banter to wrap up a busy day on a positive note.
After he finished ringing up your groceries and you signed the credit card slip, you could have simply wished him a good evening and headed out. After all, he’s just 16, and Saturday nights are like blank canvases waiting to be filled with adventures.
But you didn’t leave it at that. No, you turned back to him after he cheerfully said goodbye and made a comment that caught me completely off guard. You touched your own face and told him, “Wow. You have a lot of acne.” Then, you handed him your business card, saying, “I sell products that can help with that. In six months, it’ll be gone!”
Max accepted your card politely, saying, “Thank you,” but followed it up with a firm, “But no thanks.” He thanked you because I’ve taught him to be courteous, but he also spoke up for himself, which is just as important.
When I picked him up shortly after, we took a moment to discuss your comment. As a single mom of four, I spend a lot of time driving the kids around, which often leads to some heart-to-heart conversations. Last night, we talked about you.
Your words, regardless of your intentions, stung. Max shared how your comment dimmed what had been a great day for him. “I was having such a good day up until that moment, Mom,” he said, and it broke my heart.
I’m not one to jump to conclusions about people. I like to understand the motivation behind actions. I suggested to Max that perhaps you had enjoyed a few drinks before shopping and lost your filter, or maybe you had struggled with skin issues in your past and wanted to help.
Sure, I also thought, but kept to myself: “Maybe you’re just a thoughtless person with poor social skills.”
Regardless, I was relieved to see my son smiling again, whether it was from our conversation or a funny text from a friend. One of the things I admire about Max is his resilience. He’s a decent kid—smart, confident, and popular among his peers. However, he does have some skin issues, a common occurrence for teens. We’ve tried different products like ProActiv and Neutrogena to help him, and I do my best to provide organic foods for better skin health.
But here’s the crux: he doesn’t need reminders from strangers about his imperfections, especially not from someone trying to sell something. You could have walked away without making a negative impact, yet you chose to address a flaw in a teenage boy in an attempt to boost your sales.
I still have your business card in front of me as I write this. After a challenging divorce, I’ve learned to give myself time before reacting to situations that provoke strong emotions. I wanted to reach out to you that night and express just how inappropriate your comment was.
However, I’ve decided to hold off. While the initial anger has subsided, I will eventually send you a note. You need to understand that what you did was wrong, but I’ll wait until my emotions cool down.
Your interaction with Max taught him a powerful lesson about the impact of words. You showed him what it feels like to be on the receiving end of thoughtless remarks. Ironically, you helped me teach him about resilience and self-advocacy, arming him with a thicker skin as he navigates through life.
So, dear MLM Representative, before you try to promote your products next time, think carefully about your approach. Look at your audience. Before offering unsolicited advice or handing out business cards, pause and consider if your words are necessary. If you find that difficult, perhaps there’s a product that could help with that.
Sincerely,
Mama Bear
In Summary
A mother recounts her son Max’s experience with an MLM representative who made an insensitive comment about his skin while he was working as a cashier. Despite the hurtful remark, the mother uses the situation as a teaching moment to instill resilience and self-advocacy in her son. She reflects on the importance of kindness and the impact of words, ultimately deciding to reach out to the MLM representative to address her behavior.
Keyphrase: MLM representative and self-advocacy
Tags: home insemination kit, home insemination syringe, self insemination