Sweet Pea, Petal Pie! Stem?... Stem?? But a stem is like a stalk. And a stalk is kinda dorky. Stem? Hmm. Well I guess a stem holds things up. Therefore it has to be strong. And proud. And powerful. Rampant even. A stem can be a pillar of strength. Stem. YEAH! Maybe I should be more abstemious. Regarding the informative part of your post. Wow! That was an ugly situation for you. I learned a long time ago that doing stuff like that for relations often backfires and something that you do out of love and concern can be abused. It's OK if you are merely a conduit or facilitator but when you are the hirer and the firer - oh my! Stem... THAT was really funny. I enjoyed it. Well played ranunculus! Gary Simpson

Hi: ========================================== ...you HAD to tell all those under you how wonderful they were. That was an ORDER not a suggestion. ========================================== I remember when I worked in retail management. My boss gave me an order - once. I told him the only orders I take are the kind with an invoice number in the upper right corner and a deposit cheque (check)attached. When he told me he didn't appreciate that kind of response, I said he sure seemed to appreciate the 40% increase in regional sales. I asked him if he wanted results, or a lackey to follow orders. He sighed and said fine, do it your way. I was 20 then. lol. So, yeah - I don't get the whole brow-beating thing. Guess I never have. The whole point being, of course, that it's STILL all about choice. No one can make me feel inferior without my consent. NO ONE. Why don't more people know this?

Linda & Nectar, ========================================= Grenade #5 : "The biggest WEAPON that the upline will use to KEEP YOU IN LINE will be to play the guilt trip over LOYALTY to the group." Any comments? ========================================= That goes back to people getting into MLM because they think it's quick money. And those who use guilt as a tactic are merely preying upon those who are weak which in reality is only going to drag them down in the long run.

Dearest Nectar, ========== I learned a long time ago that doing stuff like that for relations often backfires and something that you do out of love and concern can be abused. It's OK if you are merely a conduit or facilitator but when you are the hirer and the firer - oh my! ========== I have no problem with helping friends or relations only because they are made aware right up front that my bread is buttered by my job, not my relationship and that I will protect that butter for the sake of both my household and myself. I'll do anything for my friends or family, but not if it will compromise my job. I was 19 when I took that office over....I earned it...it's MINE, MINE, ALL MINE!!!

Hi Heather; ========================================= That goes back to people getting into MLM because they think it's quick money. ========================================= Anything is "quick money" if you know how to sell. Nothing is if you don't. The sooner people learn that, the sooner they'll stop making the same mistake over and over.