Comments on: The worst thing they could’ve said was, “Nein”

By: Rich DeMatteo

Rich DeMatteo — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:48:47 +0000

Thanks sam. Glad you enjoyed

By: Sam Diener

Sam Diener — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:35:29 +0000

Rich – awesome read. Great job!

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:42:30 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by sabera: RT @CornOnTheJob: Just blogged: The worst thing they could’ve said was, Nein! Read about my friend, the ballsy intern http://ow.ly/FnBf...

By: Rich DeMatteo

Rich DeMatteo — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:21:55 +0000

Lindsey thanks for sharing your story and some new French expressions for me to fail at learning. Merci Beucoup! (right?)

That’s pretty incredible that you landed an internship with such a famous company. I know a ton of girls that would kill to have had that experience. Sometimes you need to go for it. You never know what someone sees in you!

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:11:59 +0000

This kind of reminds me of when I was applying for internships in Paris. In the history of Boston University’s Paris Study Abroad Internship Program, I was the first to land an interview with L’Oréal. It was highly unlikely that I’d land the position because the study abroad program only allowed for a 2.5 month internship and most companies in France won’t commit to anything less than 6 months, 3 months if you’re really wanted. I guess they liked what I had to offer and I ended up interning as an assistant project manager on the Giorgio Armani cosmetics team!

I’ve since found out that no students since my experience have been successful at getting a position at L’Oréal. The worst they could of told me was “non, désolé (sorry)” but they didn’t. There is an expression in French, “qui ne tente rien n’a rien” – he who tries nothing gets nothing (more or less) and I think that’s definitely at play here. Congrats to your friend for taking a chance!

By: Rich DeMatteo

Rich DeMatteo — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:04:55 +0000

Elisa – you are right. Many people put up defense mechanisms in every situation, and certainly in this scenario as well. If we knew the outcome would be yes, then we’d simply go for it. Maybe in scarier situations, even if w cutie e think it will be yes, we tell ourselves it will be nein just as a defense mechanism.

Loved reading about your supermarket dude. That was a good story, and showed how even when you think it could never happen, how can you know if you don’t try?

By: Elisa

Elisa — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:49:09 +0000

With many people I notice who ask a question “regardless of the outcome,” they have reason to believe that the answer might have a snowballs chance in hell of being yes. We ask out people we’ve developed a connection with (even if it’s a connection over coffee blends or book titles or bar shots,) we ask for job opportunities that we can fathom ourselves having, we ask for movies we think might be in stock.

We say it is fear, and that’s probably a big part of it. But part of it is reality, knowing that it is more probably to ask for an international internship as an intern than and international managerial job. Part of it is pessimism of sorts…thinking you already know the outcome and convincing yourself it WILL be nein. And part of it is protection. Saving yourself from the hurt cause you THINK you know what the answer will be.

All very strategic and logistical reasons. But with no risk comes no reward. And we probably don’t know everything, right? Who knows…the cutie in the supermarket may in fact be asking us for our number, and we almost miss the opportunity!

By: Rich DeMatteo

Rich DeMatteo — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:31:58 +0000

Good on you Beth! Glad you found some inspiration in this, and hope you continue to look for ways where you can step up and voice your opinion where it matters.

By: Beth

Beth — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:36:26 +0000

This is an awesome post. I really just was in this situation not too long ago. My boss has decided to hire someone else in our department, and I have been trying to get him to see the complications it will create – instead of the benefits. I expressed my views feeling that the most he could say was that he didn’t really care what I thought, and he was going ahead with the hire anyway.
Which is, in so many words, what he said. But I expressed my point of view, and it was a really big step for me as I am NOTORIOUS for just putting my head down and working. I am trying to break out of that mold and this is definitely an inspirational post..

By: Rich DeMatteo

Rich DeMatteo — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:49:06 +0000

Hey Susan – great thoughts there. Here is my take:

I feel that “No” is the unpleasant and unfavorable response. Fear of hearing “no” is why our palms are sweaty, our stomach gets queasy, and we ultimately barf on our couch. If we knew the answer would be yes, well than I’m not sure our hearts would be racing… People are afraid of the unknown. I think you and I are on to something here!

Your experiences in traveling in an unfamiliar place must have provided you with a crap load of learning experiences. Where did you travel???

Thanks for the comment!