Snake Oil salesman

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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on September 1, 2010 at 5:46am

I don't think I would. On this side of the pond it has the connotation of a charlatan selling a false product.

John

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Permalink Reply by Vince C on September 1, 2010 at 5:52am

I think that hypnosis techniques would complement the career of a snakeoil salesman. He (I know of no female snakeoli salesman yet) would be able to transform his personality to be more enthusiastic about his product and lead the prospective buyer to feel the same way in order to separate the fool from their money.

However the reverse is not true. Snake oil salesmanship would not complement the career of a hypnotist because it's much too narrow of a niche. Career paths, titles, etc or any words for that matter are just words.

I once knew a hypnotherapist who got insulted for being called a hypnotist! (Now who is hypnotizing whom?)

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on September 1, 2010 at 5:53am

It would depend on the source of that comment. For example, an Okinawan might be quite interested in your product: the habu snake populating that island is believed to have many medicinal qualities and is even preserved, whole, in a bottle of whiskey (not sure if the snake or the booze is the helpful tonic).

Lately, there have been spoofs of Obama being the "ultimate snake oil salesman" here in USA.

Choose your poison,

Kelley

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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on September 1, 2010 at 6:02am

I'm with Kelley on this one- It would totally depend on who is calling me a "Snake OIl salesman" and why.

Friend - I'd take it in stride. Non-friend might get smacked upside their head... =^..^=

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Permalink Reply by Ron Franks on September 1, 2010 at 6:07am

Hmmmm, well since...

I don't see myself as that, and can not imagine anyone calling me that it's hard to say how I would "take it". Nevertheless, I'm posting this to tell you how delighted I am to see you posting today as I do have a keen interest in that which issues forth in your words.

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Permalink Reply by GAIL GUEVARA on September 1, 2010 at 8:02am

I gather you rec'd this comment somewhere near your own backyard. When reading your post the immediate body-feeling reaction was, "yuck".

What was the content of your discussion that this person made this comment?

I am now curious :o)

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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on September 1, 2010 at 8:35am

I still gotta think being called, "Salta's Little Helper" still trumps Sanal iol salesmen. Just as hypnosis is misunderstood, so is snake oil- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_oil

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Permalink Reply by Joe K Fobes on September 1, 2010 at 9:35am

If he called me an effective snake oil salesman I would.

Joe

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Permalink Reply by AJ on September 1, 2010 at 9:45am

The tonal inflection on one hand may denote smugness, yet scorn on the other. Take your pick! I sense either way it's demeaning.

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Rose Dye on September 1, 2010 at 10:15am

Oh yes... Goes with Michael and Kelley here. I would certainly not choose it as a compliment from some.. and Yes some would get a swat from my fly swatter.... Doctors and other Professionals would not do business with you .. with a label like that .. here in the States

Michael Ellner said:

I'm with Kelley on this one- It would totally depend on who is calling me a "Snake OIl salesman" and why.

Friend - I'd take it in stride. Non-friend might get smacked upside their head... =^..^=

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Permalink Reply by Jan Krüger on September 1, 2010 at 11:14am

James Szeles said:

Jonathan I would look at him and say "thank you". Like I do when someone calls me an a$$ hole. It pisses the off because they can't get a reaction from me.
James

That could be seen as passive aggressive, actually, depending on the subcommunication. And it's really the subcommunication that matters. Personally, I might just smile and say nothing. Or do a number of other things. It all depends on the situation.

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Permalink Reply by bob burns on September 1, 2010 at 1:24pm

I have a medicine bottle with water in it and it is genuinely labelled: 'Snake Oil' (for an old prank).
Wouldn't it have been cool to have this on you when the guys made the comment, only to pull it from your pocket with the line: "Please tell me that that was a lucky guess. You're scaring me now!"

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