Smiley messaging

What can hitch-hiking tell you about the importance of warmth in your communications? Rather a lot, as it turns out...

I carried out an unusual experiment this week.

I decided to try hitchhiking, to see whether I could get a lift.

But I also wanted to put my communication skills to work to try to stack the odds in my favour.I needed to get to Madingley Hall, on the outskirts of Cambridge, to talk about some business and writing teaching.

I could have cycled, but it would’ve taken at least half an hour. 

There were also some annoying hills, and that would have meant I arrived hot and sweaty for important meetings.

I no longer have a car, the bus didn’t go all the way to Madingley, and I’m far too mean to get a taxi.

So hitchhiking it was.

In fairness, it wasn’t that much of a gamble.

It was only about a mile to walk from where the bus dropped me off, if that should prove necessary.

I prepared well, as I do. 

The night before my adventure, I carefully wrote my destination on a piece of cardboard, as pictured.

But that was when the thought struck about how I could look more attractive to a driver.

(Which was important, because I imagine most people wouldn’t want to stop for a lumbering, ageing lump like me.)

So I added a please, to demonstrate at least some positive character, enhanced it with establishing my tutor credentials, and followed all that with a little smiley to try to show I’m not as scary as I look.

Did it work, I can sense you asking?

I’m happy to say the answer is yes. 

Car number five stopped, after only about 90 seconds walking, and kind, retired Ray offered me a lift.

Did my messaging work, I asked? Yes, he said.

He reckoned anyone who wrote a sign like that couldn’t be too dangerous, and might even be worth picking up and talking to.

Just a thought, when you’re working on your communications. 

A little character and some warmth can go a long way towards achieving your ends.



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