Freak Show Panhandling with Blatant Honesty—Plus How to Manipulate the Trust of Another Person, Secret Tip #11…
If you’ve ever been to Venice Beach (California) you know it’s a freak show.
Anything goes… and it usually does.
Nearly every time I’ve been down there, I’ve seen The World’s Greatest Wino. He’s always standing in the same spot, chanting the same line, “Jingle bells, jingle bells, help me get drunk.” I went to Venice again this week with a friend who’d never been, and there was The Wino again—like he’d never left.
Like all the other boardwalk hustlers, he holds a cup and waits for a contribution. I’ve never personally seen anybody give him money, but unless he’s actually independently wealthy and does this for fun, he’s gotta be raking in enough to justify standing there every day, right?
I’ve seen hundreds of panhandlers and about as many approaches to the art, but The Wino is interesting to me because he uses a method that you don’t see too often: Blatant honesty.
Maybe he really is a wino.
Maybe it’s all schtick, and the guy doesn’t drink at all.
As with most things in life, the perception matters more than the reality.
Whether he’s a bonafide wino or just a clever marketer is irrelevant. Because either way, he’s using his mantra both as a gimmick and a device; there’s something disarming about blatant honesty that seemingly goes against the interests of the person who uses it.
So here’s a little secret: If you want to gain the trust of another person, admit something that’s unfavorable to you. Blatant honesty is in short supply, but it’s also endearing and seductive.
And as an aside, The Wino knows another secret: To compete in the marketplace, you MUST differentiate yourself from the competition.
Oh, and one more: Most people limit themselves (and their success) by obeying their Comfort Zone; The World’s Greatest Wino may not even have one, and that allows him to make money in ways that most people wouldn’t even consider—which is an attribute, if not a skill.
So he stands out at Venice Beach (hard to do in itself), but will The Wino ever achieve the level of branding accomplished by Time Square’s Naked Cowboy (who actually first appeared at Venice Beach himself)?
Until his singing improves, it’s doubtful.
But who knows? This is still America, you know.
-jef
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Tags: honesty, panhandlers
It’s entertaining, but it ain’t Disneyland. Good advice Bart.
-j
Fun! Now i have a reason to go to Venice Beach next time.
If the Wino has been doing this for years and is still in Venice, it must be a lucrative business for him. And now after this post of yours, you’re really helping him. enabler!!!! LOL
You said, “there’s something disarming about blatant honesty that seemingly goes against the interests of the person who uses it.” Goes against, and you said seemingly. I think this is the reason why people lie or deceive, or are less real. Most people think that if they reveal the truth, it will backfire on them. I do agree that honesty makes a person more likable and attractive. It makes others feel not so bad about themselves.
However, we don’t have to reveal everything to anyone and everyone.
So did you give him money?
Yep, he’s been there for years, they say, so I guess it’s working.
You said, “honesty makes a person more likable and attractive. It makes others feel not so bad about themselves.”
Your last sentence exactly hits on what makes another person have trust, open up… when we’re honest about our own shortcomings.
But here’s the careful difference: If you admit something that goes against your interests AND THEIRS, this won’t work. Admit you’ve done
something that steps on the other person’s best interests and you’ll get NO CREDIT, but a LOT of repurcussions!
Admitting, “I stole a piece of candy when I was 12″ is one thing… admit, “I stole YOUR candy,” and it’s a different game.
And you’re right, Jeannie, gotta use great discretion in what we reveal…
No, didn’t give him a dime (would I admit it, anyway?)… think I owe him now, don’t you?!
awww, that was honest, and if you did it doesn’t go against my interest, LOL. fun…
No you don’t owe him anything. He already got his publicity.
Right on… but if you get to Venice before I do, give him a buck and tell him it’s
from me.
Honesty is admired before the fact, but rarely after when it involves both parties. People appreciate
truthfulness more than we realize, but again, if the truth pertains to something done TO them, tread
carefully. The ego doesn’t handle deception well.
Thanks V.