We’ve all done it. We like something and we pass the opinion along. It could be something as simple as recommending the strawberries in the produce department. We all have favorite movies or restaurants and we freely share that information with people who have similar taste. If it turns out your tastes don’t agree, the consequences are small.
Sometimes, we are so pleased with someone who provides a personal service; we are comfortable in letting others know. We like our hair stylist, our plumber and our veterinarian. If we recommend our hair stylist to a friend and they have a negative experience, our friend becomes one unhappy camper. No one wants a bad hair day, let alone a bad hairstyle or cut.
Personal recommendations are taken to a whole new level when we suggest a blind date. We all know someone with a blind date horror story. This may be one of the worst.
Larry got off the elevator on the 40th floor and nervously knocked on his blind date’s door. Susan opened it and to his amazement and joy, she was as lovely and sweet as his friend Dave had promised.
“I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” she said. “Why don’t you play with Snuggles while you’re waiting?
She does wonderful tricks. She’ll roll over, shake hands, sit up and if you make a hoop with your arms, like this, she’ll jump through.”
The dog followed Larry out onto the balcony and started rolling over.
Larry made a hoop with his arms and sure enough, Snuggles jumped right through – and then over the balcony railing just before Larry’s date walked out to the balcony!
“Isn’t little Snuggles the cutest, happiest dog you’ve ever seen?”
“To tell the truth,” he replied, “she seemed a little depressed to me.”
No matter how nice a guy Larry is and no matter how well intentioned Dave was, this is a blind date Susan will never forget.
Blind dates can also go extremely well as was the case with General Colin and Alma Powell who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. They met on a blind date that both of them dreaded.
An Army buddy of Powell's talked him into taking out his girlfriend's roommate. Powell was wary of the fix-up, but his anxiety was mild compared with Alma's.
"I definitely don't go on blind dates with soldiers," said Alma Johnson, then working as an audiologist for the Boston Guild for the Hard of Hearing.
When he arrived at her Boston apartment, however, dread gave way to delight. "He was simply the nicest person I had ever met," she says.
Sometimes, we are so pleased with someone who provides a personal service; we are comfortable in letting others know. We like our hair stylist, our plumber and our veterinarian. If we recommend our hair stylist to a friend and they have a negative experience, our friend becomes one unhappy camper. No one wants a bad hair day, let alone a bad hairstyle or cut.
Personal recommendations are taken to a whole new level when we suggest a blind date. We all know someone with a blind date horror story. This may be one of the worst.
Larry got off the elevator on the 40th floor and nervously knocked on his blind date’s door. Susan opened it and to his amazement and joy, she was as lovely and sweet as his friend Dave had promised.
“I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” she said. “Why don’t you play with Snuggles while you’re waiting?
She does wonderful tricks. She’ll roll over, shake hands, sit up and if you make a hoop with your arms, like this, she’ll jump through.”
The dog followed Larry out onto the balcony and started rolling over.
Larry made a hoop with his arms and sure enough, Snuggles jumped right through – and then over the balcony railing just before Larry’s date walked out to the balcony!
“Isn’t little Snuggles the cutest, happiest dog you’ve ever seen?”
“To tell the truth,” he replied, “she seemed a little depressed to me.”
No matter how nice a guy Larry is and no matter how well intentioned Dave was, this is a blind date Susan will never forget.
Blind dates can also go extremely well as was the case with General Colin and Alma Powell who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. They met on a blind date that both of them dreaded.
An Army buddy of Powell's talked him into taking out his girlfriend's roommate. Powell was wary of the fix-up, but his anxiety was mild compared with Alma's.
"I definitely don't go on blind dates with soldiers," said Alma Johnson, then working as an audiologist for the Boston Guild for the Hard of Hearing.
When he arrived at her Boston apartment, however, dread gave way to delight. "He was simply the nicest person I had ever met," she says.
After eight months of steady dating they were wed in the Congregational Church in Alma’s hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.
Powell said, “Alma must have loved me because I was not a romantic suitor.”
This story is from “My American Journey” by Colin Powell
So, why do we offer recommendations? Some have small consequences and others could be life changing. We do it to be helpful, to be thoughtful and also out of concern. We want our family and friends to be happy, so we are well meaning when we share our opinions.
Powell said, “Alma must have loved me because I was not a romantic suitor.”
This story is from “My American Journey” by Colin Powell
So, why do we offer recommendations? Some have small consequences and others could be life changing. We do it to be helpful, to be thoughtful and also out of concern. We want our family and friends to be happy, so we are well meaning when we share our opinions.
When we are concerned about a loved one, there is usually a good reason. At that time we may think about suggesting a doctor, lawyer or financial advisor, depending on the circumstances. Loved ones can be in situations that require a professional. You don’t want to send them on a medical, legal or financial blind date.
Sometimes, on advice radio talk shows, you’ll hear people call in for an opinion on an extremely important matter. It could leave you wondering about the quality of their confidants. Who you choose to trust can directly affect your future. The same is true of your family and friends.
Sometimes, on advice radio talk shows, you’ll hear people call in for an opinion on an extremely important matter. It could leave you wondering about the quality of their confidants. Who you choose to trust can directly affect your future. The same is true of your family and friends.
When you make those significant referrals, you want to be confident in the professionals you recommend. A top notch doctor, lawyer or financial advisor can be a real game changer. Events that require a doctor or a lawyer often are things that cannot be foreseen.
On the other hand, the wise input of an experienced financial professional can help anticipate and plan for your financial future. Why not recommend a professional you trust? Complicated situations are best untangled by someone who has all the right tools.
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