I am sitting beside a green bag filled with weight-loss supplements and I can't help but glare at them in contempt. How did this come about? I hear you ask.
It all started circa three weeks ago whilst I was working my regular waitressing shift. Firstly I have to state that I am not entirely sure what it is about waitressing (or perhaps it's just me) but I have been offered all kinds of obscure "opportunities" specifically whilst working as one. Stripping, joining some kind of religious cult or the odd pyramid scheme. This situation would appear to be no exception.
It all started circa three weeks ago whilst I was working my regular waitressing shift. Firstly I have to state that I am not entirely sure what it is about waitressing (or perhaps it's just me) but I have been offered all kinds of obscure "opportunities" specifically whilst working as one. Stripping, joining some kind of religious cult or the odd pyramid scheme. This situation would appear to be no exception.
There was a table of 4 people enjoying their meal. I glided through the restaurant and sat a bowl of rice onto their table, one of the men introduced himself and offered me his business card proclaiming he had a job opportunity which could earn me more money than I was currently earning. I found this statement to be a little presumptuous but none the less I investigated the company website later the evening. It seemed legit.
I called him weeks later out of curiosity and Greg* explained I should come to his office so he could explain the role, enthusiastically I agreed. The subsequent Wednesday morning I found myself sculling cups of coffee and choosing an outfit which would be appropriate for a job interview. I dashed to the bus stop and shortly found myself standing in front of an Osteopaths office feeling dishevelled. Upon entering the office Greg appeared out of the shadows, offered me a herbal tea and within minutes I was watching a 10 minute presentation for a certain type of supplement.
Apparently it "cured" Irritable Bowel Syndrome, sinusitis, It made you loose huge amounts of weight within the space of a week, it helped athletes gain muscle and it was even sponsored by some obscure soccer team nobody has ever heard of!! After the cheaply made presentation was finished I was left wondering if Jesus himself had created this wonder powder himself! My eyebrows were raised and alarm bells were ringing through my head "Kylie....get-out-of-there!"
Greg leaned forward "Kylie I sense that you are sceptical?" ...... Slowly and cautiously, I responded "From experience, if something is too good to be true.. It generally is."
At one point I found myself on a scales without my shoes or pantyhose being measured. After 4 long arduous hours of being brainwashed I had signed up to be a 'distributor' of Jesus' magical product with the main objective to sign up other members (for a fee of course). I found myself outside of the store holding a bag of $200 worth of supplements. "A Pyramid Scheme! Stupid Kylie! What have I gotten myself into?!"
First a panicky conversation with my mum. Then an another 4 hours on the phone to the Australian Consumer Commission and to the 'Supplement' Company I had finally gotten my money back and whatever remained of my dignity.
Later that evening after a glass (maybe a bottle) of wine I had a chuckle with one of my girlfriends. Lesson Learnt.
I called him weeks later out of curiosity and Greg* explained I should come to his office so he could explain the role, enthusiastically I agreed. The subsequent Wednesday morning I found myself sculling cups of coffee and choosing an outfit which would be appropriate for a job interview. I dashed to the bus stop and shortly found myself standing in front of an Osteopaths office feeling dishevelled. Upon entering the office Greg appeared out of the shadows, offered me a herbal tea and within minutes I was watching a 10 minute presentation for a certain type of supplement.
Apparently it "cured" Irritable Bowel Syndrome, sinusitis, It made you loose huge amounts of weight within the space of a week, it helped athletes gain muscle and it was even sponsored by some obscure soccer team nobody has ever heard of!! After the cheaply made presentation was finished I was left wondering if Jesus himself had created this wonder powder himself! My eyebrows were raised and alarm bells were ringing through my head "Kylie....get-out-of-there!"
Greg leaned forward "Kylie I sense that you are sceptical?" ...... Slowly and cautiously, I responded "From experience, if something is too good to be true.. It generally is."
At one point I found myself on a scales without my shoes or pantyhose being measured. After 4 long arduous hours of being brainwashed I had signed up to be a 'distributor' of Jesus' magical product with the main objective to sign up other members (for a fee of course). I found myself outside of the store holding a bag of $200 worth of supplements. "A Pyramid Scheme! Stupid Kylie! What have I gotten myself into?!"
First a panicky conversation with my mum. Then an another 4 hours on the phone to the Australian Consumer Commission and to the 'Supplement' Company I had finally gotten my money back and whatever remained of my dignity.
Later that evening after a glass (maybe a bottle) of wine I had a chuckle with one of my girlfriends. Lesson Learnt.