Just Look Carefully

Just Looking!?!  Imagine if dating started this way.  Or what if the first time you met your doctor, he asked you, "What brings you in today?" and you respond, "Just Looking!?!".  Maybe your hair stylist, your waitress, your mechanic, or your banker get the Just Looking!?!  Why is it this phrase only applies to direct sales?  If you are there for a reason, why use it at all? 

Let's look at the first example, dating.  When you meet someone for the first time, be it a blind date (cold call), a set up with some one's "friend" (a referral), or someone you meet at a singles hangout (prospecting), isn't this really a sales opportunity?  Both parties are on their best behavior and seem to avoid the risky topics.  Both seem to want to establish a common ground to see if this relationship can continue.  Both may be looking to close the deal; I won't stereo type here as both sides are equally to blame.  Some times the phrase Just looking!?!, seems appropriate, yet it is never used. 

What if this..

...ended like this?

What a great brush off.  Imagine the guys from A Night at the Roxbury asking to buy you a drink.  JUST LOOKING!?!  Problem solved.  No further conversation needed.  Wouldn't Michael Douglas have been a whole lot better off if he had told Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, JUST LOOKING!?!  Then the poor, defenseless rabbit would still be alive too.  You are welcome PETA.  Surely Just Looking!?!, when wielded carefully is a powerful weapon and phrase.

They look like they are done looking, don't they?

Although, consider your weapons and phrases carefully.  When used inappropriately Just Looking!?! can cause more damage than good.  Consider Will Smith in Hitch.  His career, in the movie, and the movie itself would never have happened.  Poor Kevin James (Albert Brennaman) and Amber Valletta (Allegra Cole) could never live happily ever after.  Just think, no Romeo and Juliet, no Meet the Parents, no Titanic, no How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, no 50 First Dates,...  Hollywood itself may not even exist!!  How would we all live?

Just Looking!?!  Think carefully the next time you wield this phrase.  If the power of those two words can topple an empire like Hollywood, imagine what it could do to our consumer industry.  May I suggest, "I am Just Looking!?! for someone to help me with ________________."  I promise to be the first one to stop using the phrase unless I am writing.  Until this happens, I will have to keep Just Looking!?! myself.

Don't let it happen.  You have the power for change.