Off the Grid: Not Necessarily HR – Words You Think You Know

Spending a night in a hotel exposes you to things that are not normally part of your ordinary routine. I learned a lesson long ago that buyers for hotel shampoo are mostly former hippie females and believe that everybody should smell like flowers, fruit, or some flavor of Snapple. Last week I forgot to pack my own shampoo and picked up the hotel brand to see what people were going to smell as I walked through the lobby. Hmmm, so it is going to be Awapuhi this time. On examination I was sure that this was some Polynesian word for snail snot, so I looked it up. Yep, it is a flower and the online propaganda tells me that it is actually supposed to be good for my hair. My cynical self shouted “Advertising crap!” but it did leave my hair silky and flowery smelling.

We take so much for granted when blasted with advertising terms. Probably the most classic case of falling for nothing is the old Chrysler TV ads where the elegant actor Ricardo Montalban described the luxury of seats covered in “rich Corinthian leather.” Of course, there is no such thing as Corinthian leather. It was a term invented by an ad agency because it sounded really cool when Ricardo Montalban said it in his sexy accent. Who knew? I didn’t look it up at the time, but truth will be revealed if you pay attention over time. The lie is confirmed… it was a total fabrication.

I make a point out of teasing people with lies that are absolutely true-sounding, but get an eye roll after a few minutes. One Christmas when my church was doing the obligatory pageant involving kids, mangers, make-believe animals, and unbelievable angels, I told the pastor’s pre-teen daughter that the reason Mary and Joseph were turned away from the inn was because they didn’t have a major credit card. After I got a “Really?” response it finally sank in and there was a little smile. I’m not sure what she told her father.

I should have been in advertising. Well, recruiting is close.

 

Image credit: Photographer Sten Porse, the copyright holder of this work published it under the following licenses: Creative commons -  free to share with attribution.