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I once knew a girl called Nicola who worked in a clothes shop. Nicola was an excellent sales assistant, in fact, she could sell ice to an eskimo.
Nicola was particularly adept at selling to men. She told me the tricks of the trade.
“The secret to men is flattery. When they try on a jacket or shirt, I flash them a big smile and tell them how good it looks.”
“But I’m a man,” I said. “Does that mean I should try the same thing with women?”
Nicola mulled this over.
“I suppose you could try. You might get punched in the face though, because you look a bit creepy.”
Further examples:
Ben’s been the top salesman at this company for ten years, he can sell ice to an eskimo.
I’m quite adept at driving, I don’t need you telling me what to do in the car!
I’ve been dealing with bank fraud for more of my career, I know the tricks of the trade.
Flattery is always used in the music industry. Record executives always try and flatter me, but I find it difficult to trust them.
Every morning Jane comes into the office and flashes her beautiful smile. I think all the guys are in love with her.
I need to go home and mull things over. I’ve got to make a big decision about my future and whether to take this new job in Tokyo.
Don’t flash a smile at the new girl Carl! You’re acting really creepy!