Magic
Yesterday I got a phone call from a rep at the leasing office of my new place, saying he'd like to know what colors I want my accent walls painted. Oh, he'd forgotten to tell me?? Yes, yes you did. Tell me what? Well, as a courtesy to new tenants, they'll paint any two walls any of eight colors I can choose from.
Despite the fact that I move in pretty soon, I wasn't shown the actual apartment I'm moving into. There were people living in it, so they showed me another one that they claimed was similar. The leasing agent and I agreed that I would come by tonight after work to look at the paint swatches. I leave work at 5:30 p.m. Leasing office closes at 6 p.m. I promised to be there before they closed.
A friend who has an MFA agreed to meet me there, to help with the choosing of colors. I know she has a good eye for these things, and understands my taste. We walked into the leasing office at 5:45 p.m.
The leasing agent I'd dealt with was not there. I explained to his co-worker that since I had never seen my actual apartment it would be helpful if I could take the paint swatches in there. To help me visualize and all. She claimed she wasn't allowed to show me the apartment because it was messy. I explained that I wouldn't be looking at the mess, but at the layout of the place, at the walls. She claimed that she couldn't leave the office to take me to the apartment. She said I could come back tomorrow morning; I reminded her that I work during the day. I pointed out that I had a professional artist with me right NOW to help. She said I could come in on the weekend; I reminded her of my impending move-in date. She had excuse after excuse. This woman did NOT want to show me my apartment.
I made the decision that I was not leaving without seeing the apartment and picking my paint colors. I'd dragged my friend over, I'd taken a taxi from work to get there on time, I'd busted ass. So I pulled out the big guns, and used my magic phrases.
"What do you suggest we do to resolve this?" "Okay, what CAN be done?" I love these, because they leave no room for "No" and only invite solutions as opposed to roadblocks. Said calmly with a smile, they encourage problem-solving
I'm good. Steamroller's taught me a lot. Not about what to say, but how to not let people push me into doing what they want. You know this woman locked the office and took me over to my future apartment. You know she waited while my friend and I looked at all the walls and discussed colors. And that's how it's coming to be that two of the three walls in my kitchen will have yellow paint on them by this time next week.
Despite the fact that I move in pretty soon, I wasn't shown the actual apartment I'm moving into. There were people living in it, so they showed me another one that they claimed was similar. The leasing agent and I agreed that I would come by tonight after work to look at the paint swatches. I leave work at 5:30 p.m. Leasing office closes at 6 p.m. I promised to be there before they closed.
A friend who has an MFA agreed to meet me there, to help with the choosing of colors. I know she has a good eye for these things, and understands my taste. We walked into the leasing office at 5:45 p.m.
The leasing agent I'd dealt with was not there. I explained to his co-worker that since I had never seen my actual apartment it would be helpful if I could take the paint swatches in there. To help me visualize and all. She claimed she wasn't allowed to show me the apartment because it was messy. I explained that I wouldn't be looking at the mess, but at the layout of the place, at the walls. She claimed that she couldn't leave the office to take me to the apartment. She said I could come back tomorrow morning; I reminded her that I work during the day. I pointed out that I had a professional artist with me right NOW to help. She said I could come in on the weekend; I reminded her of my impending move-in date. She had excuse after excuse. This woman did NOT want to show me my apartment.
I made the decision that I was not leaving without seeing the apartment and picking my paint colors. I'd dragged my friend over, I'd taken a taxi from work to get there on time, I'd busted ass. So I pulled out the big guns, and used my magic phrases.
"What do you suggest we do to resolve this?" "Okay, what CAN be done?" I love these, because they leave no room for "No" and only invite solutions as opposed to roadblocks. Said calmly with a smile, they encourage problem-solving
I'm good. Steamroller's taught me a lot. Not about what to say, but how to not let people push me into doing what they want. You know this woman locked the office and took me over to my future apartment. You know she waited while my friend and I looked at all the walls and discussed colors. And that's how it's coming to be that two of the three walls in my kitchen will have yellow paint on them by this time next week.
posted by Green at 1/09/2007 08:41:00 PM
5 Comments:
Doesn't it make you feel all...GROWN UP!
Congratulations
I love painted walls. White walls make me feel like it is not really my place. Even though I am a lifelong renter i always insist on being allowed to paint the walls of my dwelling. I think it is cool that you get your walls painted. I like your technique for getting what you want. I am going to have to try that. Do you think it works on preschoolers?
Nice strategy. Good for you for sticking to your guns.
And really, did it take too much out of her schedule or cause any people to not be helped while the agent was out of the office for a short while? I'm betting not.
My kitchen is yellow, kind of a "cornmeal" shade of custom-tinted plaster. I like the way it blends with my wood floors, trim and cabinetry, the way it makes the evening light turn it into an intimate room, the way my black and red accents look with it. It's a room that makes me happy, comfortable and relaxed, and invites people into it. The way a kitchen should.
Color can do that to a person, and what a great start for you in your new place to get to choose your happiness.
impressive! and congratulations! but... not green?
That's awesome!
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