"What do you do?"

"I'm a freelance writer."

It was only a few months ago that I became comfortable answering that question, since the general expectation seemed to be that I ought to be pounding the pavement looking for a "real job."

And now I am just beginning to let the words "Internet Marketer" roll off my tongue.  Almost as an experiment, really--because I haven't made money at it yet.  I wanted to see how people would respond.  And, not surprisingly, the responses I have gotten have been a composite of widened eyes, slightly flared nostrils, and curled lip.  Whatever.  You do your thing, and I'll do mine, I think.  And then I change the subject to the town election or something.

So, last night I had a chance to rub elbows with about 40 folks from my small town.  There's a local pub that's likely to go out of business soon if things don't pick up--so we've had sort of a grass-roots effort going to keep it going.  It's a dump and all...but it's got character and a fair amount of history to it.

And, curled-lip responses fresh in my mind, I'm just shutting up about my own stuff and asking questions.  What are other people talking about?  How are others managing their mortgages and childcare expenses and college tuitions?  

I'm chatting up the bartender, and he starts telling me about his worm farm.

Your what?

"Yup.  A *#%^ing worm farm.  You heard me.  Latest in micro-farming.  I sell to composters.  It's disgusting."

(Now keep in mind, this guy sort of enjoys a bit of drama--but still...wow, a worm farm....)

And those around us are like, "Cool A worm farm.  What's that all about?"

Hmmmm, okay. 

Next person I'm chatting with is telling me he's at the bar because he's trying to sell the owner on a new snack mix he's come up with:  cleverly named "pub grub." Once again, the person next to me turns around.  "Pub grub!  That's really neat!  What's in it?"  (Turns out it's a mix of soy crispies and dried wasabi something or other.)

But the night was still young.  And worm farms and pub grub were merely a warmup for what awaited.

I see an acquaintance--another middle-aged soccer-mom like me.  Pretty sure she was recently botoxed cuz the brows looked slightly frozen in place, but maybe I'm just being catty.  Anyway, she gets that confidential-girly attitude when I ask her what she's up to these days.  

"You're not going to believe it."

"Try me.  I'm interested."

"As a matter of fact, it's something I have an extra invitation for right in my purse."

She fishes around and pulls out a postcard with a picture of a leg in fishnet.

"What is it?  A bachelorette party?"

"Noooooo, I'm selling sex toys.  The parties are so fun.  No men allowed."  She winks conspiratorially.

"Wow. Are you making good money?"

"Fabulous.  And, unlike Pampered Chef parties, the husbands ENCOURAGE their wives to go."

I thank her for the invitation and stuff it into my purse, just as my girlfriend comes back over to see what I'm up to.

"Sex toys," I whisper to her.  

"Oh yeah, that's the latest thing. The host always serves alcohol, which is good.  A little overpriced, though."

My conclusion? 

People accept some of the strangest things as "cool" or "neat" or "appropriate party marketing."

I'm never again going to take the curled lip personally.  I'm an internet marketer.  I'm cool too.  And it sure beats selling pub grub or sex toys.