forever living frank

It has been somewhat of a long day. So much has happened, yet so little has happened. I was supposed to pick up my Resident permit from the Immigration office. I found out first thing that the man wouldn’t be there, so I should be prepared to go the next morning for 9 am sharp. I was to go to the school and discuss plans and ask questions. I ended up in a classroom with a group of form 2s of which there were only 16. They gathered around me in their desks and we just talked. I followed this up with a few word puzzles and tongue twisters just to get them using the language. Brake time seemed to creep up rather quickly. The students had been keen to practice their English. I had some work to complete in town, so I traveled in after lunch. I had to go to two different places before I could accomplish anything. My adventure really began on the way home.
I picked up the daladala at the stand. A well dressed fellow took his cramped place beside me in the corner at the back of the vehicle. We started to chat. My mother told me not to talk to strangers, but I just can’t help myself much to my own detriment. His name was Forever Living Frank. We started with the usual small talk when he informed me that he was a teacher too. He worked at a nearby school. He described the typical conditions he encountered daily. Frank asked me if we could visit his home since he lived only a short distance walk past the drop spot. If we wouldn’t be late I said why not. Off we went. He was pleased. He decried how small his home was. He offered me peanuts and juice. After a little more getting to know you he asked me if I had ever heard of Forever Living. He mentioned how popular it was and how I must have heard of it in Canada. It is a line of aloe products containing aloe that were all natural and very good for the body. All I could think was ‘Amway’. He was so excited. He displayed the brochure and explained how good the products were. He was supplementing his teaching income by selling aloe products on the side. There were so many opportunities for advancement in the system after he purchased the initial product line. He had already sold quite a bit. Frank wanted me to tell my friends in country and back in Canada. He really wanted to view the promotional video that accompanied it. I had to put the brakes on and tell him that I was in education only and would be unable to help sell and promote his products. He was undeterred as he pressed me on the value of his goods. I reaffirmed my inability rather me refusal to participate in his program. Message received. I figured this would be an opportune moment to make my exit, so I did. He walked with me a short way to my place rather silently as he wanted to press his program while not angering me. We exchanged numbers as is custom. He even called me a couple of days in a row afterward. I wasn’t interested in becoming a salesman, so I didn’t respond. This was a new one I hadn’t even heard about at home. It wouldn’t work there anyway. Invite the customer in for a friendly visit, then make the pitch. There is never a shortage of ways to get sidetracked by the folks in town.