The title is based on a saying that I remember my Grandma Puffer used to say when teaching me about friends – and that was: “Eyes are a window to the soul.”  

She told me to look into their eyes, and I will see all there is to know about that person. 

She may have quoted an old proverb: “Eyes are a window to the soul,” but it was another flash of brilliance from my much-loved grandma – I have never forgotten it.

Grandma used to tell me another saying: “Show me your friends, and I will know what you are.” 

I could go on and on with more of her quotes, but I want to focus on those two quotes because I have proven they are accurate – many times – in business and affairs of the heart! 

As a salesman, the one thing you cannot learn in a book is whether a buyer is listening to you – or, more importantly if that buyer is “buying” into what you are selling.  

Studying their facial expressions can be helpful, but the buyer’s expression might be deceiving. 

But there is one place to look if you want to know something about that person and if that person is interested in you or what you are selling – and that is their eyes. 

But Danny, as my sales manager in the early 2000s, you never taught me about the eyes.

I did not have to tell you, Spanky. You already knew it. I could only teach you to eat spaghetti with a fork instead of your fingers!

Sorry about that.

By the way, I am not sure if I have ever mentioned this, but Spanky went to the same high school and at around the same time as my daughter, Robin.

He knew who she was (probably much more than I will ever know about her).

Robin and Spanky are now both in their 50’s.

You can never expect to sell a thing if you cannot read what a person thinks about you – because the first thing a good salesman sells is themselves! 

Gaining a person’s trust and respect is the most important thing you can do to get a buyer to want to deal with you. 

And it is essential to always act in a manner that will continue to increase those buyers’ loyalty to you (and what you are selling). 

“Money is what makes a Mare go ’round the track!” is a quote that a horse race fan once told me.

Another famous quote is by Groucho Marx:

“Who are you going to believe – me or your lying eyes?”

But you must never lie to a buyer – because your eyes will always betray you.

So, I never had a person teach me about selling other than what I learned as a part-time shoe salesman at Agnew Surpass Shoe Store at the Oshawa Shopping Centre in the mid-60s. 

My buddy Eric Nichols and I worked there for one of the most demanding store managers – ever! 

We were not allowed to lose a customer sale – you were always supposed to “turn the customer over to a full-time salesperson.” 

Working for $0.65 per hour does not sound like a lot of money, but it is the difference between being able to do things – instead of just dreaming about them. 

In the mid-60s, I also fell in love for the first time, and all it took was a look into that girl’s eyes.

I was seventeen, and she was fifteen, but it was love at first sight. 

I wrote about her in a previous story, so I will not repeat the details here – but here is a link if you are interested in reading about a memorable visit to my hometown in 2016:

https://dannystandrews.com/2016/05/19/a-visit-to-my-hometown/

That’s all for now – I’m going to Abbotsford to walk around Mill Lake.

UPDATE: Saturday, July 23rd – 6:20 PM

I got home from Abbotsford about an hour ago but did not do the walk around Mill Lake.

Instead, curiosity got the best of me, so I looked at a place owned by a friend of a friend.

And as luck would have it, that person I have never met was on their front lawn doing yard work.

So, at least, I can put a face to the name.

On my return to White Rock, the traffic on Highway 1 was unbelievably slow.

It took me a long time to get to the 232nd cut-off – and then it was ‘clear sailing’ all the way south to 16th Avenue.

Although I was exhausted from the drive – when I got home, I looked after Holly and washed my car in the driveway.

I plan to watch my Blue Jay game, which I had taped.

I wonder what the score will be today?

I will finish the rest of this story in the morning.

UPDATE: Sunday, July 24th – 8:00 AM

I could not sleep much last night, so I stayed up listening to music from one of the greatest singers of all-time – Aretha Franklin.

I am unsure if any of my younger readers know much about her or her songs, but there used to be a documentary about her life story titled “Respect.”

You must watch that film to get a complete picture of her trials and tribulations.

But this story is not about music or Aretha – so I will continue with thoughts on ‘Eyes.’

As I previously wrote, you can’t learn how to sell – by reading a how-to book. Nope!

You learn by experience – or what is sometimes referred to as ‘street smarts.’

And although my Grandma Puffer never taught me about girls or falling in love, I always had her lesson about ‘eyes being a window to the soul.’

Now, that does not mean that when you see a pretty girl, you will get the reaction I (or my grandma) was referring to.

Your soul is more intelligent than any book ever written – because it is part of your spirit – the one that guided you into this life.

When you were born, the first thing you probably noticed when you were able to open your eyes was your momma’s smiling eyes.

But Danny, eyes do not smile – and isn’t it kind of early to be drinking?

Spanky, I think this story may be too complex to understand, so go back to playing scrabble yourself.

As I said, when you looked into your mom’s smiling eyes, you would have felt an intense rush of LOVE pouring through your body.

And you will remember that feeling for the rest of your life – but probably not aware of where that feeling of love is coming from.

You can meet and date many people during your life – but you will not fall in love with each and every one of them.

If you are honest with yourself – you have probably only been in love a few times.

Like I was.

I have met and known many girls in my younger years but only fell in love four times. My mom, my grandma, my first love, and then my wife, Annette, at 25.

I did not fall in love with them because of something said or noticed about them – and I had no control over it capturing my heart (and soul).

But for it to be love and not just a strong attraction – the person whose eyes you notice for the first time must get the same reaction when their eyes meet yours.

Puberty for boys is a time when the hormones are racing like rockets, and that is what perpetuates the human species.

So, not all intimacies are based on love but solid attractions and hormones.

I will not pretend to know how girls react to their hormones during puberty – but I am sure it is similar – with one huge exception: Most girls need to feel love before they ever consent to intimacy with a boy.

And yes, it is also fortunate that they are much more mature than boys at that young age.

One last thing before I close this story – some people lose that feeling of love after a few months or years of being together with someone – because the relationship was never a shared feeling of LOVE.

So, if you are a salesman, do not approach a potential customer by trying to sell them a product or service.

Take a moment to make eye contact with them – and let them look into your eyes, too.

Because they need to see who you are before they open their wallet.

If you are too shy to stare someone in the eyes – you should not be a salesperson – try something else.

The same thing goes when meeting or noticing a new girl. Before you open your pie hole, look directly into their eyes until you make contact.

If they do not make contact, they might not be as interested in you.

The feeling has to be mutual.

I wish you all – much happiness in matters of the eyes and heart!

Dedicated to the other Holly Golightly and her friend

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

We used to have good times together
But now I feel them slip away
It makes me cry to see love die
So sad to watch good love go bad

Remember how you used to feel, dear?
You said nothing could change your mind
It breaks my heart to see us part
So sad to watch good love go bad

Is it any wonder
Why I feel so blue?
When I know for certain
That I’m losing you

Remember how we used to feel, dear?
You said nothing could change your mind
It breaks my heart to see us part
So sad to watch good love go bad
So sad to watch good love go bad

Songwriters: Donald I Everly
So Sad To Watch Good Love Go Bad lyrics © Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music

Here’s a link to songs Danny is listening to now: Drowning in a Tub Full of Tunes