How Many Times Can I Say No?

Something very random happened to me recently. Maybe its not THAT random but I don't run into many situations in my office where people ask me to join them in money making ventures.

I've recently switched to a new project that has forced me to move to a different desk (actually - I'm in an open room full of developers). I'm having a good time in here. I'm the only woman in here mostly and I feel like I've raided a fraternity. While there are bouts of complete and utter silence, there have been some fun and random convos that I love being privy to.

So - I sit right next to two Indian developers. I got into a conversation with one of them regarding minorities that immigate to the U.S. and become successful. We have all heard the stories of the guy who came with less tan $10 in his pocket, worked a shit job for years only to pay his way through school and is now a famed neurosurgeon or something.

I guess that opened a window for this guy because the next day (a Friday), as I was leaving the office... he walked with me. I just figured he was walking to his car but he was strangely going in the same exact direction as me. He casually brings up one of his success story friends and then offers me a chance to do some extra work on the side for his buddy.

Um... huh? I immediately assume its something regarding programming code or other non-fabulous things and he told me it wasn't. Flexible hours, works around MY schedule, can work as little as 5 hours a week, etc. Sounds pretty good, right? He then asked me the best way for his friend to get in touch with me and I said e-mail. I've been hating the phone lately and don't really answer it anymore. Just ask the Spa Party lady. So - this guy's friend doesn't use e-mail. Whaa?? What kind of self-made successful person in today's world doesn't use e-mail to some capacity?

Well, it was Friday and I wanted to get the fuck home so I just said, 'yeah yeah yeah... we can talk on Monday'. When I told The Mr about it, he immediately scoffed and said it was a pyramid scheme. All I could think was, "no way! this guy wouldn't be trying to get me to join in a pyramid scheme at the office...."

So the Mr was right. And I was stuck, more like cornered, into a 40 minute sales pitch from this guy yesterday. Holy hell - he had a response to everything I had to say.

With The Mr. going to law school and me being in school, I just won't have the time.
Time? That's your only concern! This works around your schedule so you don't have to worry about lost time. You might even find that once you're making more money, you can quit this job!

Um... well, The Mr just doesn't want to get involved.
Ooh - well how about I meet with your husband over coffee and I can tell him all about this? It'll only be about 10-15 minutes. If you're still not interested, I won't bother you anymore.

I just don't think this is something I'd be into.
Well I'm not asking you to commit to anything NOW. We have a money-back guarantee. You just have to invest a couple of hundred dollars and if you don't like it, we'll give your money right back.

Oh? Well - I don't know. I was gang-raped by a bunch of pyramid schemers a few years ago and the trauma of it has left me unable to participate in such endeavors.
That's okay! We now perform criminal and psychological checks on all participants and even went so far as to surgically remove all penises. You're safe with us!

I'm much too polite to say FUCK OFF but really? Is this appropriate? He even went so far as to say, "Well I was just approaching people that seemed to have ambition." Ouch.

I found out that he's tried to recruit 2 other guys in this room with no success. I didn't even really catch what the scheme was. It had to do with buying inventory directly. I don't even understand how that would work.

But really? Now I'm avoiding this guy like the plague because I don't want to have a meltdown and start shouting, "NO! Leave me alone! This is inappropriate in the workplace!!" and then fall into the fetal position and start screaming.