Dot What
Today I met a charming young lady who needed some information from me. She gave me her email address which ended @pmusa.com. I had never seen this particular suffix before and I was curious so I asked.
"Phillip Morris. I work for Marlboro."
Whoa.
"Yeah, we're not the most popular company right now."
Now let me be clear about a few things here. First off, I think smoking is terrible, for all the obvious reasons. And I could never work for a such a company because I wouldn't be able to reconcile this with my convictions.
Having said that, I think the lawsuits against these companies are laughable. I also don't think people who work for these companies are any more morally responsible than the corner store clerk that sells the cigarrettes, and we don't vilify them.
But the fact remains that these companies have taken a huge PR hit. There are some pretty aggressive ad campaigns with them in the crosshairs (although I really enjoy the Phillip Morris produced anti-tobacco ads. Almost as funny as the comercials that come on during televised poker where some casino guy tells you, "There are some times when you shouldn't gamble." Yeah, right.). The executives have been portrayed as outright murderous pariahs (justifiably so in many cases).
I don't say all this to bash the woman in question. She seems like a nice enough person. I'm just saying that if I had to give my email to a total stranger for non-work related matters, I think I would have a back-up. Something that didn't sound like joshua.jones@Ikillpeople.com.
posted by jdjones @ 9:20 PM
3 Comments:
Speaking of "the corner store clerk that sells the cigarettes," the ol' M&A market has bit the dust. I know you're surprised, but try not to cry. This does mean there's a business opportunity open again. Maybe we can get this "charming young lady" to go in with us. I'm sure she has a giant bag full of blood money somewhere, right?
Have you seen Thank You For Smoking. Interesting film. Along the lines of this thoughtful post.
And is that how I can get you to email me back -- if I use that email address?
Guido's is closed again!? Where do you go for overpriced goods and understocked shelves? Seriously, even here in Staten Island I've never come across a place as shady as Guido's. The kicker for me was the way they would look at you in surprise for walking in (A customer?! Don't you know we're not a legitiamte business?)
And Aaron, part of the reason I started a blog was because email has been such a thorn in my flesh. I'm hoping the blog, while not completely replacing email, will significantly reduce its need. It seems to me a more evolved version.
But I promise every email I receive at joshua.jones@Ikillpeople.com will receive a prompt and lengthy reply.
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