Have a Soda
We may not want to admit it, but we all like sodas – those sugary sweet, great tasting, calorie-laden, fizzy drinks that rot your teeth and destroy your waistline. They just taste so good going down. They do - I will concede that point, but other than an occasional root beer once in a blue moon, I don’t drink them anymore. I can’t get away with it. For me, the negatives outweigh the positives, and besides, I prefer to eat my calories rather than drink them.
I gave up sodas many years ago when I was a teenager. It wasn’t easy. Teenagers love sodas, really love sodas. and I have proof. When I was working as a school counselor back in the day, I was tasked with administering a standardized test to a group of 13 and 14-year-old students. Just as we were about to begin, two of the boys suddenly informed me that they were not going to take the test. They steadfastly refused, and nothing I said had any effect on their decision. Then I remembered one of the teachers telling me that middle school students will do anything for a soda. It was worth a shot. I had run out of options, and it was time to get started, so I told them that if they took the test I would buy them a soda - straightforward bribery. And their response? They scowled and said, “You can’t bribe us.” I shrugged and walked away hoping that they might reconsider, but they said nothing. They did, however, eventually sit down and take the test.
Nothing more was said about the sodas, and I assumed that they had refused my offer, indignant over my blatant attempt to bribe them. But then later that day, just as the bell that signaled the end of the day was about to ring, both boys appeared in my office doorway and nervously asked if they could have their sodas. A huge smile spread across my face as I said, “You absolutely can!” A deal’s a deal. We all went down the hall to the vending machine, I bought them their sodas, and they walked away happy.
In case you’re wondering, they both did well on the test. They were bright boys, and I knew they would. So if you’re tempted to judge my tactics harshly, just remember, sometimes when you’re in a pinch, you have to do what you have to do. And one more thing you might want to remember - you know that expression, “money talks?” So do sodas.