It was busy day in the office. Harry a senior sales rep answered his phone.
It was an emergency room doctor.
The doctor said, "Your wife was in a serious car accident, and I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is that she has lost all use of both arms and both legs, and will need help eating and going to the bathroom for the rest of her life."
Harry replied, "That's just terrible. What's the good news?"
The doctor answered in a low monotone voice, "I was kidding you earlier Harry. Your wife's dead."
Moral of the story. Inappropriate humor can tarnish a salesperson's reputation and cost that rep future business. Never try to break bad news to a customer with humor. You might think humor would cushion the blow. It doesn't. Your customers won't appreciate humour at that point in time and they may not even appreciate you any longer. Customers expect sales professionals to be empathetic and responsive to their needs and concerns; not cold and callous.
For you gents out there, feel free to tell this joke to your wife this weekend. We men have once again made it safely outside the Valentine's Day 72 hour window. Just kidding. Don't do it. Unless of course there's a game on and you want to be sent to your man cave.
