[img]958|left|Alex Campbell||no_popup[/img]Dateline Boston — You know that campaign slogan, “If you see something, say something”? It’s supposed to help police officers by having civilians report suspicious activity, like if you see a suitcase at the airport sitting all by itself.
In my life, the slogan goes like this, “If you see something you like, say you want it.” This campaign works particularly well with friends. My friend Soni had a shirt that I really liked. One day I said to her, “Soni, when you’re done with that shirt, can I have it?” She gave it to me the next week. Imagine a friend literally giving you the shirt off her back! I think of her whenever I have it on (see photo).
[img]1119|left|||no_popup[/img]When I went to stay at my friend Nic’s house, a particular mug caught my eye. I tried to be more subtle this time. I said, “Hey, Nic, do you like this mug?” She saw right through me and said, “You can have it.” Every evening at teatime, I think of Nic (see photo).
The other day, my S.O. and I went to the bank. I had a problem to discuss, so we went into the branch manager’s office. We made small talk, I presented my problem, Manager offered solutions. He talked to us about signing up for a service that was supposed to put money in our accounts just for going paperless. I’m always leery of promotions, but after getting the sideways approval of S.O., we did it. After weighing options of how to solve my original problem, it was time to wrap up.
Hmmm, That Looks Nice
Behind Manager’s desk there was a shelf, and on the shelf was a red fleece blanket. It reminded me of a blue fleece blanket my friend T gave me. Her mom is the manager of a bank in New York, and a few years ago, the bank was giving away blankets as a promotion. T gave me one, and I love it. It’s navy blue, and has the bank logo on one corner. Both my cat and I like to curl up in it while sitting on the couch.
I was thinking of my blue bank blanket when I spotted the red one behind Manager’s desk. I wanted it. Red is my favorite color, and who doesn’t love fleece? I said to Manager, “Are you giving away promotional blankets?” He stood up, fingered the blanket, and paused. He said, “Well, we always have promotions, and I have a blanket here. Would you like this blanket?” I replied in the affirmative. It was like I was five years old, talking to Santa Claus. He handed it to me, and we finished our business. S.O. and I walked to the car.
As soon as we got outside, S.O. cracked up. “What?” I asked, innocently. He informed me that I had just asked for, and gotten, the bank manager’s personal blanket. He pointed out that our bank colors are green, not red. There was no logo on the blanket. He couldn’t believe my chutzpah. Well, if I like something, I ask if I can have it. The worst someone can say is no, right?
With this blanket, I may have gone too far. Ever since I took it home, I’ve had more problems with my bank account. I’m trying not to make a negative association. Who needs a bad luck bank blanket? It’s very cuddly and soft (see photo). Maybe my cat needs to sleep on it to ward off any negative energy; after all, she doesn’t have a bank account.
I encourage you to use my slogan the next time you see something that, um, speaks to you. It won’t always work—my friend Chris did not give me her antique living room chair—but in some cases, it will. Who knows what you’ll come home with? It could be comfortable, practical and cuddly.
Ms. Campbell may be contacted at her new address, snobbyblog@gmail.com
