#88 substitutions

In this era of truth-in-labeling, is it really right that movie theatres are allowed to ask "Do you want BUTTER on that popcorn?".  Shouldn't they have to say "Would you like us to soak your popcorn in a mixture of artery-gagging oil and butter flavoring?".  

Does the CHEESE on your nachos really have any dairy element to it?  I am not sure that it is a by-product of a cow when the top two ingredients are whey and canola oil.  

We are masters of euphemisms when it allows us to rationalize behavior that we do not really want to avoid.  Do we do the same kind of double-speak when working with our customers or clients?  Is your "reconditioned" product really just "used"?  Are we charging "processing fees" instead of admitting that it is just an extra way to generate revenue without raising the main price point?  Are we calling something a "sale" when the final rate was the pre-planned selling amount?  Do we call staff "service representatives" and allow them to act as if they have no need to actually provide help to the caller?

I understand that asking a movie patron if they want "oil" on their popcorn is much less appealing and that literalism isn't a practical way of functioning.  Just be conscious of your euphemistic substitutions so that your credibility doesn't wiggle with your words.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com