[dropcap]L[/dropcap]iving life as a freelancer I often have to take jobs that I’m not particularly proud of.  My recent “gig” isn’t as glamourous as working on a film, or writing celebrity gossip–oh no.  This particular gig involves free sandwiches and a gas station.  Well…yeah you guessed it I have to hand out free sandwiches at a gas station.

Yep, that’s my job.  As a promotion for a new brand of sandwiches this particular gas station chain is attempting the ‘ol “drug dealer” method.  By handing out free sandwiches for two weeks, and hoping people are addicted enough that they’ll actually start purchasing them.  First taste is for free kids, ya gotta pay for the rest.  Now, even though I can neither confirm nor deny that any traces of cocaine are in these sandwiches–I can say they are quite delicious.  Yeah I said it.  These sandwiches are pretty damn good, and I enjoy giving people free breakfast and lunch.  The thing is, you’d be surprised at how many people actually turn down free food.

Yeah, I’ve gotten some dirty looks for offering to give someone a sandwich with no strings attached.  Every once in awhile the hurried business man sticks his hand infront of his face shaking his head no.  The occasional Asian pretends not to speak English, and the fed up soccer mom tells me to go away cause she “doesn’t want any”.  Out of all these particular characters, perhaps the one that stands out the most is the “friendly decline”.  I usually open up the conversation with a happy:

Good Morning!  Would you like a free sandwich?