Sweet & Sour

SWEET

"When my small construction materials trading company in Beijing began to see greater sales and turnover, after a two-year struggle, I felt hugely indebted to Jeffrey Gitomer and his book, The Sales Bible, which had proved to be truly inspirational.

I had picked up a pirated edition from Beijing's streets, an act which now made me feel a huge pang of guilt at having cheated the author of his due. I wrote to him, asking if I could courier the price of a new edition.

Gitomer replied pronto, asking me to send him the pirated copy against which he would mail me a real one.

The book arrived last week, signed by the author, with the inscription, 'Honesty pays'."

Andy Clayton, CEO, L'nP China

SOUR

"We're not entirely sure what an alpha male is, nor do we know why the instructor of this course is qualified to teach a course (Alpha Male University program running at The Hutong) on how to become one - but such trivial musings are replaced by much greater concerns of misogyny, chest-beating and general unintentional hilarity that make up this ridiculous course for only 220 yuan ($32.12) for each of the three sessions (broken down into openers, comforting and seduction), you will be taught a number of "proven" techniques to bag yourself a hot chick - like stripper hot The real shame is that those looking to come to a class like this are obviously seeking to build their confidence and have erroneously sought the help of a snake oil salesman rather than seeking to engage with women on any kind of level."

Time Out, May 2009