How A Persistent Trader Made Me Smile
"Aunty, you dey vex?"
Before I started my internship at NTA, I didn't know there were going to be days when I wouldn't finish from work until night.
When I realized, two days after I started, I was angry and scared.
What awaits me?
How stressful will it be?
What if someone robs me on my way home?
I know 7:30 p.m. isn't late for some people. For me, it didn't matter what time it was, as long as vehicles have to turn on their headlights, it's late.
On days my name appeared on the roaster to stay till after 7 pm news, I went home cranky and stressed.
It was usually on days like this that I meet a man selling tops and jeans smiling at me and asking me to "check fine top for your uncle na".
Sweaty body. Mild, consistent headache. Hunger. The rush to get home.
I’d be facing all these and he'd keep smiling at me, calling me to buy from him. My face was always straight and expressionless. Nothing was worth smiling about.
"Aunty, you dey vex?"
That was always his response to my silence. I used a scarf, wore my glasses, and used a hoodie. This man knew me already. No matter how I tried to evade his attention, he always smiled and called out to me.
It started getting annoying.
I had to wear a fake smile when I got to the front of his stall. With a weird smile and a nod, I started going scot-free.
No more "Aunty, you dey vex?"
Slowly, the smile became normal and less forced. I'd look out for him and nod before he did.
I didn't patronize him, but his persistence made me pay attention to my facial expressions.
As much as I tried not to always pass out my frustrations to people around me, my face betrayed that aim.
What's the point of all these?
1. If you're sure of something, your persistence will pay off.
Even my sister uses this hack to get things from my dad. At the slightest negative response, I'll back down and hope he reconsiders.
But my sister? No.
Texts, calls, and word of mouth are her means. My dad will eventually give her because he's tired of her 'disturbance'.
I had to wear a fake smile because of the trader's persistence which disturbed me. He achieved his aim and I realized the essence of what he was saying eventually.
2. No/negative response isn't just that.
Sometimes, people say no or give no response because they've not come to understand the point of what you're trying to tell them.
In case of requests, they may be weighing the effects of their decision or observing how serious you are about it.
If you want something, you'll go for it unashamedly. I need to tell myself that more often.
3. Smile more.
I didn't even know my straight face was that stern until he kept asking if I was vexing. Now, I randomly remind myself to make my lips do an upper curve for no reason.
It's a good thing.
Has a trader's persistence made you do something before? Let me know in the comments section. 😊