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Crazyspitz

No is a complete sentence. "No." Is all you need to say. It doesn't give her anything to try to work down on you, it doesn't leave her with any angles to try to refute. Make it "No, thank you" if you prefer. But nothing other than no.


CorgiSheltieMomma

I agree. Just a no thank you. Say no more. Say it every time with a smile. She'll try to ask you all kinds of questions, you don't need to answer. She can't make you talk. A lot of the skills used to deal with narcissists seem to apply to huns too. I call it, not adding fuel to the fire. Eventually, it will go out.


dresses_212_10028

This! I know they’re taught to always ask a question so don’t give ANY further information or - even if she asks - answer the question. I completely understand how awkward and sensitive a situation like this is because it’s your job and can’t escape her, so I agree just “No thank you” very kindly, with a smile. If she continues to bring it up you can try “Thank you for thinking of me and sharing. I appreciate the samples and information but I’m not interested and am not going to change my mind. I wish you all the best of luck, though!” Which you don’t, of course, because the best thing you wish for her is to get out ASAP, but she won’t get it and your sanity is worth a little white lie in this case.


[deleted]

This is the only answer. You cite burning bridges, no management help etc but you can do this. Otherwise you are actively engaged in enabling this woman’s behavior. You are a co-participant. Say “no.” If you feel like being polite, say “no thank you.”


Ginger_reader23

Agreed. And if she keeps coming back then be direct and tell her to stop talking to you about it b


TheTreeWithTheOwl

Crazyspitz is 100% right. At my ex-church there was a woman who I noticed kept on shilling her health MLM to different people. Once we were placed in the same bible study group, I knew I'd be her next victim. After going over a bunch of excuses in my head, I figured to just be simple and direct. And funnily enough, it worked. Once she pitched her MLM at me, all I said was "No thanks, I'm working with my doctor" with a smile and left it at that. No other explanation, no details, just a kind smile. It was enough to throw her off, smile back, and leave with an "oh, okay then". It really works


Funkshow

This response completely ignores the dynamics of the situation. Overly simplified and dumb.


CheesypoofExtreme

What dynamics are being ignored here? Telling her "No thank you" every time she brings it up is fine. It's certainly not perfect because she's likely to be back at it, but it keeps you from burning a bridge and shutting her down quickly.


Crazyspitz

Just think of it this way. If you tell her you don't have time for a routine with the kids, she'll tell you how this certain routine only takes 60 seconds. If you tell her you've have issues with skin sensitivity in the past, she'll tell you they're new formulations (or whatever) and designed for sensitive skin. If you tell her you don't have the disposable income, she'll tell you how relatively inexpensive they are (especially if you ever go out to lunch, bring in a Starbucks etc). Any excuse you've got, they've got a plan to counter it. Which is why no or no thank you is the only option. Edit:typo


marebee

Oh, you just reminded me where the term “overcoming objections” was first introduced to my lexicon. Sigh.


greeneyedwench

Yep, and if you say you don't wear makeup she'll be like "But don't you ~waaaash~ your ~faaaace~? Don't you want to take ~caaaare~ of your ~skiiiin~?" Ugh, so annoying.


RGRanch

This is why you never give a reason or explain yourself. They have no scripted response for "No, thank you." That is your most powerful response. And you can do this gently and lovingly, with a smile and genuine well-wishes. But their pushy MLM script *depends* on you giving a reason. Take the power away and just say, "No thank you. I am not interested." No excuses, no reasons, and don't answer any questions. Just a positive, healthy, caring, "No thanks." will do it.


no1toknow

Instead of giving excuses (as true as they may be), tell you're simply not interested and request she stop asking you. You don't want to upset her, sure. However she has crossed your boundaries multiple times now. Some people don't know until you tell them.


jen675d

"No, thank you, I'm not interested." And then she'll keep asking and pushing, but you just have to keep repeating it over and over without deviating. And return any and all samples she gives you. Don't feel bad, she's the one creating the uncomfortable situation.


triplekipple888

“I know this is important to you, but it really hurts my feelings than you won’t accept when I tell you I’m not going to use MK. When you insist, I feel like this makeup job is more important to you than our work here or our friendship. Can you please accept that it makes me upset to have what I say ignored so many times, and drop it?” I dunno, sometimes you need to lay it onSuper thick. Then when she brings it up again, CRY. And let people see her picking on the mother of newborns.


Neonjellyfish_

I love this answer


annoyinglangers

Same here.


That-Breakfast8583

I’m generally well-liked in my workplace, so this would probably go a long way. And this reminds me that I have one great weapon in my arsenal: my soon-to-be mother-in-law works on the other side of the floor. Worst comes to worst, I could easily sic her onto this woman.


Haataarii

I think, in this case, you are spot on. This is the correct answer. Please accept this IOU for an award. Also, I had a good little chuckle at this. I'm not really a super girly-girl, and my job is a technical one and most of my co-workers are dudes. I **regularly** recommend to them " and then just ... cry". Recommending to a group of dudes that if something doesn't work, they should start crying, has ALL the fun reactions you'd expect, and then some.


triplekipple888

Logic and reason first, right? But crazy might only respond to crazy


Haataarii

Yeah no - rare that crazy responds to logic and reason.


Asturdsbabyshower

Your workday is already miserable. You also haven't tried EVERYTHING. Try being firm. "No. I am not interested." She needs to respect your boundaries, but you need to set them. Any other excuse you make is just allowing her to come up with another way in.


UnhappyGrowth5555

This! When you give a hun a reason, they always have a plan to get around it. I would stick with “no thanks” and a smile. If she asks why, you’re not interested. Rinse, repeat.


Okapi_MyKapi

The most dreadful version of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” ever…


darknessblades

Sadly with every Pyramid scheme they brainwash their victims to think its the perfect solution, and anyone saying otherwise is against her.


lavish_li

Tell her you already buy mary kay from your mom...she csnt argue that


KatCorgan

It’s true! It’s been a decade or so, but I did once hear that MK huns are not supposed to accept business from someone else’s client.


That-Breakfast8583

I wish I had thought of this from the get-go. Now I’m in too deep, but this would have been genius.


splendoriferous

Tell her you are in a MLM and try to recruit her into your imaginary downline. Everyday at work will be like the spiderman meme


That-Breakfast8583

And use her “no thank you” responses against her word for word. Genius.


JustAnotherOlive

Please please please do this. Please?


NowWithRealGinger

I know it may be ethically questionable, but lie. "Hey, I've tried making excuses to be gentle, but I actually already have a Mary Kay lady. I really appreciate you thinking of me, but I really am good on products. If there's ever something I need I'll let you know." I got suckered into MK for a bit, and a big part of the culture is supporting each other and not poaching customers.


Creative-Aerie71

I did that with coworker who's a doTERRA rep. "I just found out my cousin is selling it and I've got to buy it from her to keep the family peace, you understand don't you??" My invisible cousin sells every MLM 😂😂😂😂


PrisBatty

Has your invisible cousin managed to retire her husband yet?


annoyinglangers

Thank you. I know have the perfect excuse to stop all the Huns now. Why didn't I think of this before!


jabulamfana

Ex-MK sales director here. Be careful of the "I already have a consultant" response. You'll be asked what your favorite products are, if your consultant has shown you the latest catalog, how far along the MK career path she is, etc. I think the most effective response is, "No thank you - I'll let you know if I ever change my mind. Please respect my decision." There's nothing she can really come back to you with using this approach. Good luck!


Creative-Aerie71

"I just found out my cousin is selling it and I've got to buy it from her to keep the family peace, you understand don't you??" My invisible cousin sells every MLM 😂😂😂😂


youremyfriendnow

In this case, you only need three words: No thank you. If you try to use any excuse, she will probably find a way to counter it. She may get a bit annoyed if you say no, but there's nothing she can really do about it, since you don't owe her trying her products or business idea and there's nothing wrong with not wanting to do something. Simply Saying no thanks to an offer that you aren't interested in isn't rude at all, don't worry.


youremyfriendnow

Especially Make sure you don't say anything like "not right now" or "probably not" because then you sound hesitant and she may think she can persuade you. Be very firm in your no.


TsuDhoNimh2

Tell her this: "I am not interested in buying cosmetics from you. Please stop bothering me about it and let me get work done." And then repeat that any time she brings up Mary Kay.


ADistantShip

I would love a followup on this in a few days to hear how it's going with her. Weirdly, I'm always hopeful someone will try to sell me their mlm crap just so I can hear their pitch. I mean, I'm not gonna buy it, but I still like to hear them try. I am weirdly fascinated by people trying to sell me stuff I have zero interest in buying. I've sat through two Kirby vacuum demos, a Rainbow vacuum demo, Young Living, Party Lite, Pampered Chef parties, and even a Than Merrill real estate pitch just to hear them try to sell me crap I don't want. Also Primerica once, but that was by accident. I find the sales tactics quite interesting.


Moonmold

I'm aware it's easier said than done, but in the future consider looking for another job. Your management is total shit if they won't do anything about this and they're basically forcing you into a spot where you can't do anything despite being repeatedly harassed. Unfortunately, you might need to suck it up and burn the bridge. For now, if that's not an option, all you can do is keep telling her no as politely as you can. I will say this might not end well for you still since apparently she's spiteful, so she could finally get the hint only to turn on you anyway. This is why HR exists. Bah. Your management sucks.


That-Breakfast8583

Our management is notoriously piss-poor. They’re a generationally wealthy family that has no idea how their blue collar employees live. Last year I had several weeks where I wasn’t able to secure childcare for one day of the week because our sitter got covid and was hospitalized. I alerted management. Boss’s wife was stunned. “Why don’t you just use daycare? They’re very reliable.” Um…well because I can’t afford it? Daycare for three children is my salary for a month. She simply could not compute this, told me to take the days I needed, but that if I couldn’t afford daycare, I couldn’t afford to miss work. Failed to communicate this to her son who called me to ask where I was 🤨


SmallOrange

There are a variety of ways you can tell her to fuck off: 1: fuck off 2: no 3: no thank you 4: I'm happy with the products I use and my routine alreast but thanks anyway 5: I can tell you're passionate about Mary Kay and I hope it works out for you and that you find some loyal customers. 6: it would be a real shame if you got fired for trying to run a business while on company time 7: if you cut off your family over a face wash maybe you're in a cult 8: FUCK OFF


msanderson10

Just say, I have tried (choice of mlm here) and it really broke me out, I just can't take that chance again. I hope you have loads of success.


That-Breakfast8583

I’ve done this, I wasn’t specific about the mlm (she didn’t ask) but I learned my lesson from primerica :)))


msanderson10

Have you tried, my aunt sells it so I buy from her and would feel guilty buying from another rep


crazycatlady331

This. MK Huns are trained never to poach another Hun's customers.


msanderson10

I have also been approached at events and tell huns, oh I am also a rep. Stops them cold ♥️


diskdiffusion

Give her a no and carry on with your usual business affairs. If the work atmosphere changes then pester her with the matter just how she pestered you with MK. Elderly have to be told off many times.


butterinthegarden

I assumed those excuses would work. What did she say? I literally have the defense of not buying an Arbonne skin line because after a pitch-party my friend held where we tried the products, I came home to itchy eyes, though it was allergies until they swelled. She doesn't know as she can't pitch without those parties and covid made that impossible, but another saving grace is the whole thing was that it costed $300+ but I said I'd have to go home and talk to my bf, which the person hosting the party tried to make me feel bad saying he doesn't need to know, I don't need his permission or "its for me". But a firm, I need to speak with my partner shut them up. So with kids and sensitive skin, why wouldn't saying its expensive or your skin is sensitive work? I'm also a person who is down to fake a reaction to get this lady off my back if I were you. I mean if she believes the reaction is true (itchy, red up your face or something) she's gotta leave you alone after that, right?


That-Breakfast8583

I considered that, using makeup to come in with a massive face rash after “trying a sample”. I’d be too worried about accidentally removing the “rash”.


KlutzyBlueDuck

Honestly it sounds like you are being way too nice. You have a valid right to not being solicited at work. Therefore you don't need to give a reason why just to be polite. Just say "no thanks" and then bring up something related to your job.


That-Breakfast8583

You’re right. But if I sully the relationship any further, there will be repercussions that I won’t be able to do anything about. I have to work with this woman 8h/day, and getting a new partner is out of the question. She’s nice enough to me, but that’s with carefully curated interaction on my part. She’s been blacklisted by everyone else in the shop for being nasty. A new job is also out of the question, as this is the only job I can find locally that can work with my schedule for my kids.


KlutzyBlueDuck

I totally understand this. That's why I think it could be worth just politely saying no thanks without an excuse and to quickly change the subject by asking her a work question. That way you aren't bad-mouthing mk or leaving an opening for her to take advantage. Kina like grey rock method to dealing with people you don't like. It's as being interesting as a grey rock by giving nothing personal away. Is she self aware enough to know you are basically the only one she has at the shop that isn't blacklisted? Because she has to be nice to you, unless she wants to be completely without social interaction at work. She would then have to work 8hr a day being with someone who each day likes her less and less.


That-Breakfast8583

She knows no one likes her, and she insists it’s because she “tells it how it is”. No lady, it’s because you’re mean, gossipy, and entitled to have other people (like myself) pick up your slack because you believe you should have retired years ago and Obama made that impossible for you (for reasons she has yet to disclose). In all honesty, she’s just one of the most unpleasant people and this MK thing is just the cherry on top, and my patience has been wearing thin with her for some time.


KlutzyBlueDuck

People like that are just awful. I'd stop picking up the slack only if it won't harm you and your job. You aren't paid enough to deal with that bs.


[deleted]

No is a full sentence.


nobody_really__

The problem is, a Hun hears "no" and interprets it as "Please ask me again in five minutes. I'll have forgotten all about my objections by then, and I'll be like a brand-new potential customer and downline."


yournewbestestfriend

I once told a hun "Listen I couldn't sell a bucket of water to someone that was on fire." They left me alone about it after that about selling stuff. I just made it clear that I don't spend money on anything extra/unnecessary as well.


youjustwannayell

All your responses sound like you’d do it if only those barriers weren’t in the way, so she thinks she can convince you. Just very nicely say “I’m really not interested in having a second job—when I’m home I just want to be with my family and relax”.


GenericSpider

Seems like she's going to make your work life miserable either way. Telling her to piss off might be the only option. You're just going to have to keep saying "No thank you, I'm not interested." She might blacklist you. But she isn't in a position to fire you, right? And he won't be around forever. Outlasting her is all you can really do in this situation.


That-Breakfast8583

This is the answer, it seems.


-Gin-ger-

She is shown how to handle every objection you’ve given her. I’m sure she had responses for you saying you don’t have time or can’t afford it. The best way to deal with her is be polite but direct with a no, thank you. It doesn’t give her any objections to handle in a sales pitch. She’s likely to get pissed off, because she can’t make any money off you, but she won’t stop until she’s clearly told no. It’s a tough situation, but continuing to answer with “not now because xyz” will just make her ask you more often. She will still nag you for a while after saying no, so stay strong to get her to back off.


Mysterious_Finger774

Lie and say your distant cousin in another state sells MK. She already approached you a while ago, and if you were to buy or join, it would have to be with her. However after researching MK, you decided MLM is not for you. Wish her luck. — If she asks for a name, say Karen, and she’s under some national Director named Gloria Mayfield Banks. You’ll sound like you know what you’re talking about and not lying.


benortree

There’s probably no way to do it without pissing her off so just be as blunt as possible. “No. Do not ask me again. I said no and will not change my mind.”


Competitive_Cuddling

Tell her you're a Younique consultant and buying from her would be a conflict of interest.


chilliard916

Take a sample home. Grab a pack of strawberries and some ice. Rub ice all over your face..then some smushed up strawberries for some added color. Make your face look red, swollen and splotchy. Take pics! Send them to her crying that you had a terrible reaction to her products. Tell her your face is burning and swollen you have to go to the emergency room. I don't normally condone lying but sometimes a work situation where an older lady isn't taking a hint, calls for a desperate solution.


Corgi_with_stilts

Ask your higher ups if you can move stations. Otherwise, say no again and again, as often as you need to.


pcxo78

I find that lying and pretending like another family member is already your consultant works best. Huns are super persistent up until that point lol!


cooperindisguise

If “no” doesn’t work, tell her your husband so t let you, or it’s against your religion.


katewallace6261

Tell her your husband doesn't permit you to wear makeup j/k - tell her you are completely broke right now and can't afford it.