RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31125, 30 July 1966, Page 42

RANDOM REMINDER

HOW TO TURN AWAY WRATH

For sheer smoothness, polish, savoir faire and the rest, there’s no-one to equal the insurance salesman, who is everyone’s best friend. The beauty of the prose they use appeals instantly, when they address themselves to a prospective client. There may be a stronger hint of the old Anglo-Saxon when some poor devil is behind with his premiums. Take the example received by a Christchurch man the other day. “Dear Mr X” it began.... “In reading the birth notices recently I see where you and Mrs X have been blessed with

a son (hear the soft music?) and I wish to extend my heartiest congratulations to you both. Because of the high hopes and ambitious plans you undoubtedly have for him (isn’t it beautiful?) I thought you might find the ideas in the enclosed brochure of interest (He hopes!) 1 have no way of knowing whether our father and son plan (man to man—get it?) will be of value to you and your boy. but if we can get together soon (let’s be chums) I’ll explain it to you and you can then decide for yourself (maybe). At any rat* I’ll phone you..,etc.”

The telephone conversation duly took place. And was the insurance agent put out when he discovered that the letter had gone to a man of the right name and initials—but the wrong man? This one had no son; he was 61 and his wife 60. No, he was equal to the occasion. He said that perhaps the age of miracle* hadn’t passed, with the inference that if it hadn’t, he was the right man to look after the situation—and at any rate, there were other forms of safeguarding the future which might be of Interest...