<p>One of my very first unreasonable requests was years ago and was a direct result of a homework assignment.&nbsp; I had to ask someone for something for nothing and the value of the request had to exceed $10,000.<br /><br />I needed a car so decided that that is where I would start.&nbsp; Upon completion of my personal research as to what kind of vehicle I wanted, I decided it was time to make the initial call to a local Honda dealer.&nbsp; I asked for the owner, stating my call was of a personal nature.&nbsp; After speaking with him, I made an appointment and said it would only take a few minutes of his time.&nbsp; So, away I went in fear and trembling....two days later.&nbsp; I dressed up, drove down the road and walked in, thinking to myself, &ldquo;this is nuts!&rdquo; but proceeded.&nbsp; After introducing myself to the receptionist I told her I had an appointment with the owner.&nbsp; He greeted me and took me into his office.<br /><br />I started off shaking his hand and said "I really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me.&nbsp; I am sure this might come as a surprise to you but not wanting to waste your time I will get right to the point.&rdquo;&nbsp; I did, however, make some sort of a personal connection as to lead this difficult conversation for me into a friendlier atmosphere.&nbsp; I continued, &ldquo;I have a need right now for a car and after doing a lot of personal research as to what type of vehicle I wanted and needed for the type of work I do, I believe that a Honda fits my needs perfectly therefore I would like to ask you if you would be willing to give me a car for free?&nbsp; I realize this is an over the top request, and believe me, it is for me to even ask such a thing, but ......I am asking."</p> <p>Silence......"Did I hear you correctly?&nbsp; It is my understanding that this is not a charity related issue, but rather you are asking for a car for yourself?"&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yes".&nbsp; "Well, I am finding myself in somewhat of an awkward position not knowing exactly how to respond other than I have to decline your request".&nbsp; I said, "You know what, that is perfectly fine,&nbsp; &lsquo;NO&rsquo; is ok".&nbsp; With that I stood up, thanked him profusely for his time, shook his hand and left, shaking in my boots.&nbsp; I&rsquo;m surprised I didn't fall flat on my face.&nbsp; I just wanted to get out of there.&nbsp; How ridiculous was that?!!&nbsp; I was embarrassed beyond words and felt like some kind of victim or something.&nbsp; YIKES - I can't believe I just did that thing!&nbsp; So with that, I went home practically running out of there, bags in tow and when I got home I thought to myself, "I am never going back there again."&nbsp; Then wrote him a thank you letter.<br /><br />Two months later my need for a car increased to the point that I could no longer wait. Therefore, part two of assignment one.&nbsp; Go back to him again and make another REASONABLE UNREASONABLE REQUEST.&nbsp; I called him on the phone and said, "Hi, I am not sure if you remember who I am or not, but I am the woman who asked you for a free car a couple of months ago".&nbsp; He laughed and said, "How could I ever forget, of course I remember who you are."&nbsp; With a little more certainty and confidence, I said, "Well, I am not going to ask you for a free car again, however, I would like to ask you for a creative solution to my need for a car."&nbsp; He said, "Come on in and we'll sit down and figure something out".&nbsp; So, off I went.&nbsp;</p> <p>I was greeted at the door by the receptionist who escorted me once again into his office.&nbsp; We shook hands as we both were smiling a bit sheepishly, at least I was.&nbsp; He then took me into the lobby and introduced me to his top salesperson.&nbsp; He spent a lot of time with me going over my needs, budget, etc., showed me many cars, test drove a few and agreed on one in particular.&nbsp; A HONDA CRV.&nbsp; Then he asked me a question, "This may not be any of my business but are you a relative of .......?"&nbsp; I said I wasn't and inquired as to why.&nbsp;</p> <p>He proceeded to tell me that he had been with the company for over 11 years and in that entire time never once had he experienced what he did that day.&nbsp; The owner had instructed him to sell me any car I wanted at HIS cost (the owner's), and additionally, he would not receive a commission off the sale of the car, but the next sale he made he would receive a double commission.&nbsp; So when I told him that I was not his relative and in fact, I had only met him once in my life and that was two months prior for a total of 10 minutes max.&nbsp; He shook his head and said, "What in the world did you do or say?"&nbsp; So, with that I proceeded to tell him the story.&nbsp; He was in awe.&nbsp; I was in awe because I got the car I wanted for a price that was UNREASONABLE! because. . . I asked.<br /><br />I am now asking you to make a list of ten unreasonable requests and open up the discussion in the group LIVING UNREASONABLY and see what "opens up!&nbsp; If you can&rsquo;t come up with ten, one is better than none.</p> 2009-03-11T19:28:03Z -10.509 313 3568 true 17 13481 an-unreasonable-request 7 2009-03-11T20:33:15Z 2009-03-11T20:33:15Z

Just what is LIVING UNREASONABLY all about? Who lives unreasonably and why? If you were given the opportunity to ask for anything you want, what would it be? Here is my first experience of being unreasonable . . .

1 2009-03-11T21:08:19Z