Code of the Road

Today, I did a presentation at a new hire orientation for our sales forces. After which the attendees were flying off to our production facilities to be wined and dined for a few days. This got me thinking. I know you've probably heard the phrase...Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What many don't realize is that this phrase can apply just about anywhere. In fact, I have heard it used so many times, I am thinking of getting t-shirts printed that say, "Whatever happens in __________! Stays in __________!" The fact is that people tend to get a bit crazy when they are away from home on business. They drink more than they should. They do thing they'd never do in a million years if they were at home. They go places they'd never go when at home. And they associate with people (strippers and hookers) that they'd never ever associate with on their own home turf.

The ability to let these stories remain where they are, is the known as the Code of the Road. The only time when Code of Road can be broken is if the person who the Code of the Road story is about leaves the Company. Then it becomes Legend. That said, I'd still think very carefully about breaking the Code of the Road. It is a small world and there's probably a story about you out there. While I can't possibly share my best code of the road story because I am still friends with the person it involves and that person will kill me (Come to think about it now, this previous statement applies to more than one individual.) Here's one that I will share. A group of employees is drinking at beach side bar at dusk while onlookers are watching the sunset. One employee bets another employee that they won't take off all their clothes and streak down to the water and jump in (this is winter mind you). Second employee after more cash hits table from other employees complies and proceeds to strip down right at table. Employee then dashes across beach to water in front of many scared onlookers. Note: said employee was not specimen of physical fitness. Then employee nearly drowns in rough surf. How'd you like to bring that one home to the wife and kids.

If anyone else has a Code of the Road story they'd like to share, please do. I'll try to publish the best ones in a later post.