Let's All Take a Bow

The other day I showed up on time for an appointment but the person I was meeting was not in the office. Geez, that bugs me. My time is valuable too. In fairness, the planner was off ill. I guess I should always confirm appointments but I'm afraid that a friendly reminder will turn into a postponement until like forever. And besides, such incidences are very rare and when they happen, the planet tips slightly in your favour. For a little while anyways. Still, it made me think -– I never cancel a sales call when I'm sick (unless deathly so) and if other reps are like me, we must be major spreaders of colds and flu. With diseases getting more frightening every year, maybe it's time we reconsidered the tradition of handshakes, hugs and kisses. Maybe it's time to introduce... the bow.

Since we are so proficient at kissing ass, we should certainly have sufficient flexibility for a simple bow. But aha, there is no simple bow. In fact, there is an entire language to the bow with proper etiquette on its length, depth and appropriate response. For instance, in Japan, there are bows for greetings, bows for apologies, bows for gratitude, bows for different emotions (humility, sincerity, remorse, deference...). Think of the fun we can have - we can create bows for our own industry:

• The "makegood offer" bow
• The "why didn't I get the RFP" bow
• The "I'm not worthy but if I bow long and hard, maybe I'll get a sympathy page" bow

So start practicing your bows in front of the mirror for no less than five minutes daily. Start slowly with gentle head nods and work your way up to a 10-second, 90-degree bow. Then try a dry run at the next Magazines Canada rep-only function by bowing to everybody you meet. If they read this blog, they'll be bowing too. If we can get this going with the enthusiasm of the 1990's stadium Wave phenomenon, we can then move it from the practice field to the real world and do our part in keeping the next pandemic at bay. Fellow reptiles, start your bowing.