Richard Kaszeta wrote:
> "gpsman" writes:
> > You're handling it wrong, IMO. You need to tell the first inspector
> > nonchalantly, "It's just me again. I know the routine, I'm already
> > ID'd as a suspicious person in the database because I'm have US
> > citizenship but I live in Canada. You do what you do and I'll just
> > head inside. Any preference where I park"? Or some such shit...
>
> Are you kidding? When they are staffing the I-91 Border Patrol
> checkpoint in Hartland, VT, saying anything like "don't you remember
> me?" is virtually *guaranteed* to get you detailed questioning and an
> extended ID verification.
Maybe so... but he's getting that treatment anyway. I don't see what
he's got to lose.
And I never suggested the OP say, "Don't you remember me?" I agree,
that would not be a good phrase, it calls for a yes/no answer. If the
answer is no it reinforces a negative. Never ask a yes/no question
unless you know the answer is going to be yes... with someone you're
trying to persuade.
Stating, "It's just me again" assumes recognition and, even if the
official doesn't remember him, it establishes the OP's expectation of
recognition and casts doubt in the official's mind if they *haven't*
previously met. The "just" implies a sense of self-unimportance, an
"I'm sorry to be bothering you because I'm insignificant" clue.
They're subtle techniques... but effective.
I've spent the better part of my adult life in sales studying and
learning to build relationships quickly to establish credibility and
build trust... with excellent success. The foundation of those
techniques is based on using every opportunity to find a common ground
and have my client subconsciously feel that we are alike in as many
ways as possible, so I am likeable. People don't tend to buy from
persons they don't like.
The first opportunity the OP has is to project his "alikeness" to an
official is to demonstrate a familiarity with procedure, establishing
that they share a common knowledge... and the OP would be demonstrating
his choice of using his knowledge in an attempt to make the official's
job easier. Who wouldn't like that?
People will often make life better for people they like. What I know
about a client's personal life is more important than what I know about
their business. If I do it right, I can get them to tell me everything
I need to know.
> That, and at least in the Swanton section of the US Border Patrol,
> they rotate agents around quickly enough that they usually don't have
> a chance to recognize people.
I'm just suggesting the OP use a few psychological techniques to his
advantage. It sounds as if you have more border crossing experience
than I. What's your suggestion...?
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- gpsman
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