I strategically use humor. I have romance party plan business. I ask ladies to get their friends together so that I can sell them "romance items." Many women are intrigued by the idea but extremely nervous at being embarrassed too. To make them comfortable, I liberally sprinkle my presentation with humor. The idea is to make them laugh so much they forget to be embarrassed. I want them to have fun and forget to be nervous. And let's face it. So many of those "romance items" are just begging for a joke. The best part of these parties is that so many of the guests are incredibly witty ladies that crack me up, too. I tend to get my best jokes from party goers and bless them for it.

Janet attended one of my parties several months ago. I was holding up one of my newest products called "Tasty Pastease," showing that they come in black or white flower shapes or a cherry, heart shaped version. They have candies on dangling strings (think candy necklace type candies) and are worn, well, where a topless dancer who doesn't want to be completely topless would wear them. At a presentation, I usually just hold up the package and indicate that really there is no need for explanation here (since there is a picture and everything). Janet started giggling. Of course, so was everyone else, but Janet continued to giggle as though she was enjoying a private joke. I watched her throughout the rest of the presentation a little intrigued and decided I would have to figure this out.

Once my presentation concludes, I invite the ladies individually into a separate room to do their shopping. This offers them a little privacy and the opportunity to ask embarassing questions without an audience. When Janet came into the shopping room, I asked her if she had especially liked any of the items I showed her. (I do try to be subtle.) Janet immediately volunteered that she had to have a couple sets of the Tasty Pastease. She is a nurse just like many of the other guests that evening. She had also recently had a mastectomy, but she had not yet had the reconstructive surgery that follows. It was scheduled with a surgeon she knows pretty well. And, giggling, she told me that she had decided that a set of Tastee Pastees would be the perfect thing to wear into the OR. The more she thought about the look on her surgeon's face, the harder she laughed.

I was shocked since her situation was not one I usually heard about in my shopping room, but I couldn't help but laugh with her. What a wonderful way to approach a difficult situation. I bet she really brightened up the day of that OR staff.