This week I was coaching “brain science of dropping guard: acing your toughest customer service conversations” in a workshop at a fancy golf resort, working with the golf pro staff mostly. As you can imagine, they have to be on their toes. Politics is a current frustration.
I asked them to stump me with one.
- “Okay Isaiah. Why are you wearing that mask?” (said in a super judgmental tone)
- “Because I’m Zorro”
- ::laughter::
A non-sequitur is a great choice here. Because you’re not being asked a real question. It’s mostly victimy “seeking an ally” kinds of comments that people make, sort of as off-handed remarks, even when they’re questions.
Have fun with this game! A customer asks you “Q: You’d better be voting for Trump—are you?” Some answers that could work:
- “I vote my color conscience”
- “I’m flipping a coin”
- “I vote with Simon Cowell”
- “There’s an election??”
- “I always call my Mom for voting advice.”
- “How about them Seahawks?”
- “You’ll have to take that up with a higher authority, sir.”
- “My vote is for sale—what’s your offer?”
- “You only live once, am I right?”
Here are some more to play around with. Practice a few and you’ll be golden… a non-sequitur that puts a smile on the face is perfect.
- “I can’t see how anyone could support that red-blooded racist“
- “I don’t understand how anyone can support [x]—know what I mean?”
- “Are you really going to make me act like a Democrat?“
