Orange Man's Orange Pilling Silver Lining? \ stacker news ~bitcoin

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Orange Man's Orange Pilling Silver Lining?

1380 sats \ 37 comments \ @siggy47 24 Jan bitcoin

I know, the title of the post is a bit much. I couldn't resist. I just want to make a quick post about what I did today.

My wife sent me on my weekend errands. One of my stops was our local butcher. I have been shopping there for years, so most of the workers recognize me.

To set the scene, you could say that where I live is, for the most part, MAGA country. This butcher shop is no exception. In 2016 there was a "Jail Hillary" poster on the wall next to the faded, black and white photo of Frank Sinatra. This year there was a "Make America Great Again" sign on the front window.

It's no secret that I do not support either major US political party, and I frankly don't like Donald Trump. Like some New Yorkers, my impressions of him were formed in the 1980s, long before The Apprentice or his presidential campaigns.

Recently his shitcoinery really pissed me off, too.

However, I care about bitcoin adoption. While making my rounds I hatched a plan to Orange Pill the butcher shop.

I walked to the counter. The store was not crowded, but there were four or five guys working there, like usual. Towards the back was the owner. He is an old, nasty asshole who had never been taught the maxim "the customer is always right." One of the reasons this trip had become my errand is because my wife hates the guy, and doesn't want to take a chance that he will be the one to take her order.

I walked to the counter and told the young man behind the counter what I wanted. It took a while for him to collect all the items. He calculated the total and asked how I would like to pay. In a strong, clear, voice, I said, as if it were an afterthought, "do you guys take bitcoin YET?" That "yet" was my big revelation. I wanted to give the impression that everyone was starting to accept it. I knew everyone in the store had been following Trump's campaign. I figured their good feelings towards him might extend to bitcoin. The old crusty bastard in the back snorted and laughed derisively. I expected that. I had everyone else's attention. The young guy taking my order then started the whole "it's not backed by anything" argument. He clearly knew something about shitcoins, because he described getting burned with NFTs. Then he said "eth is pretty good, right? Better than doge."

This gave me the chance to explain the bitcoin distinction. Honestly, I guess I did okay, but I wish someone like Lyn Alden happened to be buying a few steaks next to me to take over the explanation. I'm still critiquing my arguments in my own head.

It was a little stressful getting put on the spot to explain myself. I don't care. I decided I'm going to start doing this more, all over town. I'm hoping the YET at the end of the question inspires some business owner to feel a little FOMO. It's no secret that, whatever you think of the man, Trump inspires trust and enthusiasm. Maybe we can use some of that special sauce for some grass roots local bitcoin adoption.

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135 sats \ 9 replies \ @grayruby 24 Jan

I like the addition of yet. I will try that and act surprised when they say no. Then I can say something along the lines of "that's odd, I thought most small businesses would be accepting Bitcoin by now as the transaction fees are much cheaper than visa or mastercard and they are getting paid in an asset that goes up in value. Oh well, maybe you should look into it".

168 sats \ 5 replies \ @SimpleStacker 24 Jan

Acting surprised when someone doesn't know something or didn't do something is an underrated tactic for behavior manipulation

103 sats \ 4 replies \ @grayruby 24 Jan

Yes. I don't like manipulating people but if it is for a good cause I can make an exception.

81 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined 24 Jan

You should take a really long time fumbling around in your wallet trying to find an acceptable form of payment, while muttering about how quickly this transaction could have gone if they just got with the times.

60 sats \ 0 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 24 Jan

That is a good one. It puts them on the edge of thinking they could make more money because they would not have to deal with customers fumbling around, looking for payment methods.

81 sats \ 0 replies \ @SimpleStacker 24 Jan

Well I think this particular tactic is subtle enough that I'd consider it licit.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 24 Jan

Yes, the ends and the means conundrum? Gotta watch out for that!!

40 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 OP 24 Jan

I almost lied and said "other stores around here are taking it", but I wasn't prepared for the inevitable " who? "

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 24 Jan

Yeah that's the only problem. If they ask "have you noticed a lot of other stores taking it" I will be forced to lie or just admit that no one else takes it either. Haha.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 24 Jan

Yes, playing the greed card works better, this way, too.

105 sats \ 1 reply \ @SimpleStacker 24 Jan

Honestly, adding the "yet" is pretty smart. It adds just the right amount of social pressure in a nonchalant non-threatening way.

Don't worry about explaining the distinctions perfectly, they probably won't remember the details anyway. But what they will remember is the conviction with which you say it. And since your conviction is backed up by real facts and knowledge, they won't be disappointed when they actually check it out for themselves.

30 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 24 Jan

That's what I'm hoping. Maybe what I did accomplished nothing, but they heard one person ask. The next guy might provide a tipping point.

59 sats \ 0 replies \ @stack_harder 24 Jan

a good example of a 'we're early' moment

41 sats \ 1 reply \ @JesseJames 25 Jan

Good call, plant the seed and continue the talk later... explain to the old salty bastard that the government can't take his BTC; I bet that will get him to ask more questions. You planned this well, continue to have fun...lol You could also add "I bet you would get more business if you did accept it, I would buy here exclusively" no one can ignore "that could bring you more clients" angle... just saying

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 25 Jan

I was thinking the same thing. My family was in retail. Store owners will try anything to increase business, and they naturally distrust the government. I think the old bastard went home and read up on bitcoin.

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @PictureRoom 25 Jan

Good for you. I had a similar experience:

We had a new stove delivered to the house, and somehow, Bitcoin came up in conversation. The delivery guy mentioned XRP - or some other shitcoin - and asked if it was as good as Bitcoin. I cut straight to the point: Bitcoin is the real deal, the only thing you need to own.

I used Bruce Lee’s quote about fearing the man who practices one punch 10,000 times. Focus, precision, and mastery - Bitcoin embodies that. No shitcoins, brother.

By the end, I think I "orange-pilled" him. He started asking real questions, curious and engaged. I told him to check out Jack Mallers for a good starting point.

I don’t know if he took action, but I know I did my part. And this is what we need to keep doing - every chance we get. Not just to increase adoption, but to sharpen our ability to articulate these concepts to the uninitiated. This is how we become the beacons of truth.

46 sats \ 0 replies \ @zapsammy 25 Jan

imho, educating random normies about bitcoin and anything else non-mainstream is like shooting squirrels in the dark. i have taken up the strategy of first building rapport, then gauging the level of awareness & intelligence, and finally distributing the knowledge. anyone who wants to learn about bitcoin will get my undivided attention, at any time. i follow this strategy at the bitcoin meetup as well - many people are not worth wasting time on; my knowledge is now reserved for those potential powerful educators who will go on to enlighten the world.

"yet" is a good one. "u don't get y u need bitcoin yet..." might become my tagline.

46 sats \ 0 replies \ @cristaiji 24 Jan

In my town there is still no bitcoin merchants. I did talk to a guy the other day who is starting a new business and he is open to bitcoin and even owns some. But he doesn’t know about lightning or how he could accept BTC payments so I’m hoping to put together the information for him. Hope I don’t f it up!

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @Aardvark 24 Jan

I think we all wish we had someone like Lyn Alden to be around when we get into a bitcoin discussion. The best we can do is learn the material and keep trying.

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 24 Jan

I guess taking up the state’s cudgel for BTC is a little bit over the top, don’t you? Making fear the selling point works but greed works better. If you an hook the prospect on greed, they will stay on the hook, no matter how badly you set the hook. You might consider telling them, because they don’t understand, yet, that they can ride the elevator up when BTC goes to 700K! Just think what that would be worth!! Just don’t tell them that if BTC is 700K what the worth of the dollar is!!! Sometimes sales is a tricky area.

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @Satosora 24 Jan

I think it is more important that you actually took the first step and tried. Maybe that young man will go home and do more research? As it gets on the news more, more and more people will start taking an interest in it. You may have planted the seed.

41 sats \ 1 reply \ @Riberet 24 Jan

Well done, maybe that young man will start investigating just today, I hope he doesn't become a shitcoiner.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 OP 24 Jan

My guess is he already got burned. I hope my "they're all scams except bitcoin" message got through.

41 sats \ 7 replies \ @Undisciplined 24 Jan

The "YET" is brilliant. I've always been reluctant to ask shop owners or cashiers this, but I might be willing to ask it this way.

74 sats \ 0 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 24 Jan

Yes, the YET is thinking past the sale or, to say it another way, assuming that the sale is already made and just filling in the details. This is another valid sales tactic that you have probably seen ~~used on you~~ up-close and personal, many times.

33 sats \ 5 replies \ @siggy47 OP 24 Jan

I find it very difficult to talk to retailers about this too. YET does make it easier.

41 sats \ 4 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 24 Jan

@siggy47, you must never have tried out sales as a way to make a living. The best way to think of it is: Every “No,” you hear brings you ever closer to that grand old, “Yes”. It is only the Yeses that you are looking for.

20 sats \ 3 replies \ @siggy47 OP 24 Jan

I did try sales right out of college. Telephone sales. I was terrible at it. I took each no personally. I'm committed to doing this, though. It wasn't as hard as I imagined. I hope it gets easier.

41 sats \ 2 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 24 Jan

I'm committed to doing this, though. It wasn't as hard as I imagined. I hope it gets easier.

Just remember that every “No”that you hear brings you that much closer to your great, “Yes”!

I got my first sales job not long after I got discharged. It was with a great sales company that had the best training in the industry (Insurance). The problem was that the company wanted you to sell whole life insurance policies at the time when people were making the big switch to term life. It was brutal, but the training was great.

30 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 OP 24 Jan

I guess you develop a thick skin. I'm curious, do you try to get people interested in bitcoin in your day to day life? Does your sales ability help?

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 24 Jan

I don’t have much face-to-face contacts, lately. Only online and on telephone. I only wish I could do more like this, because I also like to make trouble.

So, no, my salesmanship doesn’t help much nowadays.

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @jakoyoh629 24 Jan

That's genius! It's a brilliant strategy. If more people get on board, we'll be planting seeds of change. It might take time, but it could definitely make a difference in the near future.

30 sats \ 2 replies \ @siggy47 OP 24 Jan

I can't stop thinking about this encounter. I really like the "yet" idea, but I'm starting to think it's dumb to try to explain bitcoin in that setting, even if I was really good at it, which I'm not.

I'm thinking next time I will take the idiot approach. When someone asks me to explain bitcoin, I'll just say something like:

"I have no clue what it's about. My [kid] [brother] [friend] is really smart and good with computers. He talked me into buying some a few years back. Now I'm loaded! Then he set me up with a wallet. I used bitcoin to buy breakfast the other day." (I can give @Simaan' s Melville Deli a plug)

This will be a much less stressful conversation, and I'm guessing it would be more effective too. Everyone wants to get rich. NGU is important when learning about bitcoin.

Maybe we should have a post to trade techniques we have tried, or just talk about it in the saloon.

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 24 Jan

Yes, it is much easier to make them convince you, especially if you add a touch, or maybe the whole paint brush, of greed factor.

41 sats \ 0 replies \ @SimpleStacker 24 Jan

Personally, I'm not a fan of motivating people with NGU. For one, I don't want them to blame me if number go down after they buy.

My approach depends on the situation. If I have like 10-15 minutes, my goal is to tell them what Bitcoin is, without trying to get them to buy it. It's a decentralized ledger book of transactions. That's it. But the bigger question is why we need it.

If I have only a few minutes, I'll usually just say something like, "I'm a big believer in Bitcoin. I read the white paper, it's not a scam it's the real deal." And leave it at that. If they want, they can ask more questions but I'm not going to say more unless asked to.

In general, my approach isn't really to convince people to actually buy bitcoin but just to help them understand what it is and why I believe in it.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @mod 21h freebie

🚩 This post might be more relevant and engaging in the ~bitcoin_beginners territory.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bell_curve 25 Jan outlawed

stackers have outlawed this. turn on wild west mode in your /settings to see outlawed content.