Are Aspergians Natural Salesmen?

This weekend, NJ was voluntold to sell popcorn for the Cub Scouts at the local mall here in sunny (alright, sweating and stinking) Boynton Beach, Florida.

I was wondering how he would do.

I gave NJ a 1-minute pep talk and told him what to say: "Hi, would you like to buy some popcorn to benefit the scouts?"

He repeated it back to me a couple times. I told him the prices. And basically, he grabbed a couple of bags of "product" and darted out into the crowd of mall lopers.

I watched in stunned amazement - and amusement.

NJ would literally walk right up in front of a whole group of people - no matter their age, nationality or scent - and give them his pitch.

He developed this totally on his own, and on the fly.

Sometimes people would keep walking, and in those cases, he would walk backwards. He would continue talking to them about how fresh and great the popcorn was. It was only one dollar, etc. Sometimes he'd have to give up.

I kept reminding him to say "thanks, anyway," when this happened.

But more than half the time, I'd say, they were absolutely bowled over by this kid.

So self possessed, so persistent. So polite, and knowledgeable!

Yes, yes. He's my son, I would say.

One lady followed him back to the table to give a donation. She didn't even like or want the popcorn, but she was so bowled over by this kid, she had to give something.

"You are the best sales person I have ever met. Period! And I mean that. This kid is amazing. What's your name?" Etc. She went on and on. And I could tell she was a tough New York dame from the old school. She didn't seem one to hand out compliments lightly.

But frankly, lots of people had this same reaction. They were practically throwing money at the lad and smiling as they did it.

I believe it was partially his AS traits that helped him succeed:

- Persistence (er, perseverance)

- Lack of reading social cues (he didn't sense when people were trying to blow him off... he just kept on going... and they were eventually blown away by his dogged persistence)

- Intelligence (he had all the facts down cold, the prices, the products, the reason for the sale itself, etc.)

- Politeness (NJ is very polite, and a little formal-sounding sometimes in his expressions, adding to that "polite" sense)

- Really damn cute

I think these traits probably describe a lot of Aspergian kids.

Sure, they might seem a little eccentric, but as long as we imbue them with confidence, they'll have the chance to surprise. Some are more high-functioning than others, I understand. But the question isn't how high functioning is my child - it's how high functioning can he be? And in some cases, I am sure it's higher than "average" kids.

NJ continues to surprise whenever I give him the chance.

All I need to do is keep loving him (impossible not to do)... keep believing in him... and staying out of his way!

If salesmanship is a huge part of success in life, he's got a good chance at succeeding... at whatever he chooses to do.

Peace.