When Someone Asks you "What do you do", and you Say "I'm a hypnotist".....

What kind of reaction do you usually get? I often have people immediately reluctant to look me in the eye once that is said, but if they do they are nearly hypnotized already would you agree? They are immediately convinced that you have the ability to put them into a trance with just your look. Sometimes they even turn their head and cover their eyes (while laughing of course), but it's obvious that they have beliefs that it could be done.

Most often I would simply assure them that I'm not going to hypnotize them and that they would have to agree to be in order for me to do so anyways, but what if?

Not everyone reacts this way, but a significant percentage of people do. I'd say well over 50%.

Favorite

0 members favorited this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Barry Neale on February 3, 2012 at 12:13pm

I once had a hairdresser who was cutting my hair ask me what I did and when I told him he closed his eyes even though he was still cutting! i didn't go back there I can tell you!

I have even had people tell me I have hypnotic eyes!

the other response I often get is, "does it work?"

As my nan used to say, "there's more out, than there are in"

xxxx

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kathleen Hanover on February 3, 2012 at 3:58pm

If HALF of the people you announce this to have negative reactions, perhaps you could go about this a different way. Instead of telling people you're a hypnotist, perhaps you could say something like,

"I help people who are struggling to get past some kind of negative behavior like smoking or overeating, without cravings or anxiety. Sometimes I help people get over debilitating phobias. And sometimes I help new mothers enjoy a smooth, stress-free, pain-free childbirth."

(Or whatever is appropriate in your case.)

It would be interesting to find out what kind of reaction that might get you.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jason L. - VirginiaHypnosis.com on February 3, 2012 at 4:04pm

Be proud of what you do. Demonstrate a confidence in what you do, and others will take you seriously. Know how to explain it well, and perhaps follow Kathleen's example of an elevator speech in which you tell them exactly what you do.

Jason

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Katherine Zimmerman on February 3, 2012 at 4:43pm

Sometimes I use an approach similar to Kathleen's other times I have fun with it. Depending on circumstances. When I used to go out dancing the men would ask and I'd say, "I'm a hypnotherapist." Their normal response was, "Oh, I'd better not look into your eyes!" and I'd say, "Too late, you've been listening to the sound of my voice."

"I'm already hypnotized?" they'd ask.

"Yes, you'll get my bill in the morning."

ROFL

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on February 3, 2012 at 5:33pm

I get pretty much the opposite reaction...most of the time around here...they go "Really? Way Cool!"

Then again.. this one guy today said "we don't allow Soothsayers, Fortune Tellers, Tarot Card readers, and Hypnosis. So what you get depends on the circles you travel in.

John

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Alexander on February 3, 2012 at 5:38pm

That's the type of comment I was looking for. I wasn't meaning to state it like it was a problem that I wanted help with. I pretty much enjoy the type of reaction I receive and probably draw it from them by the way that I say it. If I am at a professional networking event I wouldn't look to get that.

I have fun with hypnosis and hope that others do to. It's not all child birth and phobia's.

Katherine Zimmerman said:

Sometimes I use an approach similar to Kathleen's other times I have fun with it. Depending on circumstances. When I used to go out dancing the men would ask and I'd say, "I'm a hypnotherapist." Their normal response was, "Oh, I'd better not look into your eyes!" and I'd say, "Too late, you've been listening to the sound of my voice."

"I'm already hypnotized?" they'd ask.

"Yes, you'll get my bill in the morning."

ROFL

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Alexander on February 3, 2012 at 5:47pm

Thanks John. I'd say I get the "Really? Way Cool" reaction nearly as often so maybe it isn't way more than 50% of the time that people are or pretend to be leery of what could happen.

John Cleesattel said:

I get pretty much the opposite reaction...most of the time around here...they go "Really? Way Cool!"

Then again.. this one guy today said "we don't allow Soothsayers, Fortune Tellers, Tarot Card readers, and Hypnosis. So what you get depends on the circles you travel in.

John

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Seitanidis on February 3, 2012 at 7:35pm

Kathleen, I love this. I will certainly be using this in the future. I also do Chakra Balancing and Crystal Healing. Can you imagine some of the responses I get with that one.

Kathleen Hanover said:

If HALF of the people you announce this to have negative reactions, perhaps you could go about this a different way. Instead of telling people you're a hypnotist, perhaps you could say something like,

"I help people who are struggling to get past some kind of negative behavior like smoking or overeating, without cravings or anxiety. Sometimes I help people get over debilitating phobias. And sometimes I help new mothers enjoy a smooth, stress-free, pain-free childbirth."

(Or whatever is appropriate in your case.)

It would be interesting to find out what kind of reaction that might get you.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lani Nicholls on February 3, 2012 at 7:51pm

When asked about what I do and I reply that I'm a hypnotherapist, the response I receive is almost always a positive one. Most likely because that is my expectation. I usually get, "that sounds really interesting," or hmm, what is that? I must say that most of the time people want to know more. Quite often they start telling me their life story. I love what I do and I love letting people know what this work is all about. I know that sometimes just a brief conversation with some positive, uplifting statements can make a world of difference in people's lives.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on February 3, 2012 at 7:55pm

"I pretty much enjoy the type of reaction I receive and probably draw it from them by the way that I say it."

That explains your 50% figure - you like it and draw it from them.

Perhaps it is a challenge to you, perhaps it meets some other need of yours (that is neither good nor bad).

I get a negative response 0% of the time, and I live in Tulsa, OK the buckle of the Bible belt. My house and office is right between two of the largest evengelical schools in the country, Rhema Bible School and Oral Roberts University (can see URU from my bedroom).

Now I am like you perhaps in that I enjoy challenging responses. But I do it diferently than you. When I get on a plane, next to a talker (I am NOT a plane talker) I just make up random crap, sometimes really nutty stuff. But none of it related to hypnosis....

Richard

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jason L. - VirginiaHypnosis.com on February 3, 2012 at 8:27pm

Center of Disease Control Specimen Transfer Agent?

Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com said:

"Now I am like you perhaps in that I enjoy challenging responses. But I do it diferently than you. When I get on a plane, next to a talker (I am NOT a plane talker) I just make up random crap, sometimes really nutty stuff. But none of it related to hypnosis....

Richard

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on February 3, 2012 at 9:48pm

Man! I am soooo gonna use that!

Jason L. - VirginiaHypnosis.com said:

Center of Disease Control Specimen Transfer Agent?

Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com said:

"Now I am like you perhaps in that I enjoy challenging responses. But I do it diferently than you. When I get on a plane, next to a talker (I am NOT a plane talker) I just make up random crap, sometimes really nutty stuff. But none of it related to hypnosis....

Richard