I don’t like eating meat. I went into a restaurant to eat and ordered a plate of rice without meat. And since I didn’t like the specie of fish being served, I didn’t get fish too.

I was by myself, I’m enjoying my meal when the waiter brought two big pieces of meat. She told me that a man at the corner had ordered it for me. I turned to see the young man grinning in joy.

Me; Abasi mbok what do I do?
( I forced myself to have one and requested takeaway plate and took the other one for my roommate at home, it was Ibadan 2017)

Youngman; (Still watching me)

Me; ( Walks up to him on my way out)
Thank you for the meat.

Him: Give me your number.

Me; iyammi! For meat?

–
When I first shared this story, I did it for the humour in my response. But a number of persons lashed on to the fact that women are not grateful. A debate ensued on my wall and hot takes flew left and right..

But looking back, the issue was in how obvious it was that he bought that meat to get my number. It’s also in his approach. No courtesy, no small talk, just straight to his demand. Communication is key, he lacked the skill. I accepted his gesture to repay his kindness and not embarrass him. I walked up to him to thank him before leaving, no, refusing to give him my number wasn’t ingratitude. It was a response to his repulsive approach.

This is one of the things I’ve learned with marketing; Just as its repulsive for a total stranger to demand things from you, its unattractive when businesses beacon on you to spend without communication of value. It’ll be easier to buy from a new business whose value you understand and trust and this is where strategic marketing comes from. Communication matters.

And I’m not just talking about marketing. Evangelism is more effective when we communicate value. When you walk up to a guy smoking and drinking and tell him he’ll die, or that Jesus is coming soon. It doesn’t make sense to him. In fact the outright mention of his act can repulse him so much he’d drive you away.

Communicate the ‘Why’, settle into the conversation with grace. ‘Jesus died for you so you must serve Him or die in hell!’ is a true statement, but it won’t produce results. Speak about Jesus. Who He is, why it matters to be born again, speak of His love, His ability to transform, the immense peace and beauty of having eternal life.The Holy Spirit takes God’s word we’ve shared and makes conversion happen. But that can’t happen if the person won’t even listen because your approach turned them away.

It’s as annoying as when that guy insinuated ‘I bought the meat, you could not afford, for you so give me your number.’

💞
#JournalOfaJesusGirl #Love #RejiG