Monday, March 30, 2009

Introduction to the Fifi Nod

Wikipeida states: The Sullivan nod is a sales technique used to create a subconscious suggestion to a customer to purchase one particular item out of a list of like items. A Sullivan nod is executed by nodding slightly, by approximately 10–15 degrees, when the item it is hoped the customer will choose is reached. The key is to make the nod perceptible, yet subtle, so as to not distract. Originator, restaurant consultant, Jim Sullivan, claims that up to 60% of the time, a Sullivan nod will result in the customer choosing the 'recommended' item. Sullivan developed the nod technique as a method to increase appetizer sales.

"Want some more. Yes? Mama." Fifi tilts her head and gracefully nods. "Yes?"

It took me years to perfect my own Sullivan Nod when I was a cocktail waitress at a swanky downtown hotel in college. "Can I offer you an after dinner port?" I asked the business men, ever so slightly nodding my head yes. "The 20 year old Tawny is semi-dry but so sweet." I nodded again.

"I wanna go park. Yes, Mama?" Fifi although feet shorter then me, stares me straight in the eyes and nods her head. "Wanna go. Wanna go wee-hee da park. Yes, Mama?" She nods. "Yes, Mama? Yes?"

Lately, her little nods have progressed to a entirely new level of Sullivan Nods. So new that they have yet to be named and should rightfully be named seeing they are much more effective then the Sullivan Nod. I introduce to you the new strand of Sullivan Nods. The Fifi Nod. It is so effective I have a hard time saying NO.

The Fifi Nod relies very heavily on body language. No words are spoken. Instead you position yourself directly across from the desired object (candy, purses, sister's galoshes, nail polish), bat your eyes a dozen times, shoot a look of seriousness out of the corner of your eyes, and gracefully nod your head up and down. Remember to look cute by mischievously smiling.


1. Position yourself. 2. Bat your eye lashes. 3. Look serious. 4. Nod your head. 5. Smile. Rinse, lather, and repeat until the desired item is in your hands.


Note: The Fifi Nod is much more effective if you desire "practical" objects. Completely un-obtainable items (like a closed container of crickets) require some sort of reasonable parenting.

Warning: The Fifi Nod can cause hearts to flutter due to the excessive amount of cuteness involved resulting in the direct impact of parenting the third child incredibly different from the first born.

Disclaimer: OHmommy does not guarantee the accuracy of the Fifi Nod nor does she compensate any damage happening from the above advice on how to continue teaching a child to misbehave, at any time and any part of the world.

37classy comments:

Anonymous said...

There's this guy who comes into the branch twice a month (he'll be in this Friday) who will be getting the Fifi Nod this week. I'll let you know about the efficacy of the Fifi Nod on dating possibilities.

Too cute!

Stephanie said...

Oh girl, this post cracked me up! So cute! You've got the fifi nod, I've got the Chicken laugh (we call it his retarded laugh, HAR HAR HAR HAR HAAAAAAARRR!!!) and his whole body shakes. Never fails to make you laugh with him!

Note to self: Never let Fifi and Chicken in the same room with each other! ;oD

Anonymous said...

I think this is called the 'I am the last baby and can get away with murder' nod. At least that is what it is called in my house.

Cynthia said...

Holy nail polish Batman! Do you know the mess I would have on my hands if Miss Peach go a hold of that?

Go Fifi!

Lynette3boys said...

This was too cute! Looks like a little Fifi's got a certain somebody wrapped around her polished little finger.

Indy said...

Can I borrow Fifi now and then and use her special super hero power?

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Oh my! I love it! I can totally see her doing this, too!

And the fingernail polish? Serious cuteness.

Now, you've got me thinking I need to paint Izzy's nails!

GypsiAdventure said...

I just love fifi...she is adorable and you've got to give her credit for the ingenious of it all! :)

Have a great Monday!!
~K

Tara R. said...

I can see where it would be completely hopeless trying to fight against something so adorable. Good luck.

Lisa said...

oh......she has you wrapped around her finger, doesn't she? But she's just so cute!

Kelly said...

Seriously I could not tell her no, she's way too cute.

Laura said...

OK - LOVE IT...that is all I can say! and the photo, well, don't get me started on the cuteness factor of that one!

Blessings From Above said...

With or without a nod, I think it would be almost impossible to tell that adorable girl no!

Stephanie said...

I have nothing to say about the nod, but that is the cutest picture ever.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

A DOLL. Can I eat her up?

Amy said...

I love it! That is so precious.

And look at the concerntration on her nail poish job! Impressive.

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

So the Fifi Nod is like the youth-appropriate version of the Bend & Snap? Excellent stuff, and something I may incorporate into my daily work negotiations where the B&S is a tad much.

Precious, ovary-searing photo, as usual.

Crystal D said...

Does she have nail polish?!? Oh boy, I am never letting my children close to the internet, they may read this post and then I am in trouble. Although I may be trying out the Fifi nod for my own benefit.
I have a funny feeling that Charlotte is going to have this same nod. I already have mentioned to Jim that I think she is going to be parented TOTALLY different than the other girls no matter how hard I try.

Unknown said...

It's a girl thing. That is EXACTLY what SWMBO does to me. She stood right next to the Toyota Sienna, smiled, looked at me and batted her eyelashes, and nodded her head. Then, as piece d' resistance, as I hesitated, she slowly, cutely, stuck out her bottom lip and pouted - and gracefully slid right from that to the "Hey there, Big Boy" look. Sold.

Jessica said...

Ah....does this correlate with the fact that I left the grocery store with an opened package of lollipops, goldfish, AND cookies?

Jessica said...

Adorable! I can see how you'd be a sucker for it!

And, does she not look like such a big girl painting her nails?! Seriously. Her hand-eye coordination looks great...

The Daily Stroll said...

That is so cute!! Sounds like she has this nod perfected!! I may have to try her technique in the purse and shoe department at Neiman's with my husband!! ;)

Love the picture of her painting her nails! Adorable!!

Unknown said...

I need to use this on my husband. Although I'm not that cute and TWO. Darn.

Chelsea said...

Adorable. She is so adorable. I bet Mr. Ohmommy has an even harder time saying "No" to the Fifi Nod. :)

Miss said...

This is how I know me and Feenster would get along FAB. I have a similar technique but I call mine "The Eyes". You wont even know you are getting them. ;-)

Shani said...

Toddlers know best how to get what they want, don't they? SO cute! And I can't believe she can paint her own nails. I don't think I mastered that until I was well into my teens!

Shani (aka "Camille")

Maggie May said...

We have a Fifi in our preschool :) And she has a 'pretty face' :)

Heather said...

Okay I have to ask if that is the real deal nail polish or that peely weird nail polish that is for the kiddies. I don't even know if they make that anymore.

Loukia said...

Great blog! Found you through Crafty Mom... will read more tomorrow... baby is stirring now!

Kari said...

Oh..kids are genius, aren't they!?
Charlotte does what we pegged "The Charlotte Tilt" when she wants something. She tilts her head to the side, gives you sweet puppy eyes, and says "go aquarium, please!?" {or whatever she wants or wants to do at that particular moment...but mostly she asks to go to the aquarium...} Fifi is SOOOO cute. I can imagine you having a hard time telling her no.

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...

Interesting...................... :)

Will try the head tilt, fifi nod and many other things to try and get freebies.

Am linking to this.

Fabulously Broke in the City

"Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver."

Kari said...

I love the Fifi nod! But don't let Fifi teach it to my little Milly, lest she use it as an alternative to her current (less effective) persuasion technique of screaming her desires at the top of her lungs... I WANT SOME NUTS!!!!!! What can I say? The girl loves almonds.

the planet of janet said...

*nod nod* yes *nod nod*

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I think her cuteness takes the whole concept to a new level!

Amy said...

Kathryn just has the eyes, and this little bitty smile at the corners of her mouth. I melt like butter.

Rachel said...

Love the Sullivan Nod ;-)
Used it frequently both as a waitress/bartender and a manager ;-) now, I use it as a parent. I hope my kids don't catch on to it, too! Yikes!!

Love that kiddo, she is so darn squishable

Jaina said...

Just the description has me melted like putty in her hands. How do you do it?

 

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