Ask me Quote by Todd Barry
“I think people have this "It can't hurt to ask" mentality, which is true on some level. I get comics like, "Hey, will you look at these videos of me on MySpace?" I was like, "Well, who's gonna benefit from that? What if I don't like you?" No, I'm gonna write to a stranger and say, "Hi. You like me, and I don't like you. And now I feel bad when I didn't need to feel bad, because you put me on the spot." Or like, "Can I open for you?" Well, I've never seen you work, so no. I certainly made awkward mistakes when I was starting out, and they're just trying to have a career.”
About This Quote
The speaker critiques the naïve belief that asking for opportunities is harmless, highlighting the social risk and potential rejection involved when reaching out to strangers for professional advancement.
In simple terms: Caution about asking strangers for favors
Key Takeaway
Risk of awkwardness and rejection
Themes
social anxiety
career advancement
communication
risk assessment
self‑esteem
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advice
observation
When to use this quote
- seeking a gig
- requesting collaboration
- approaching a mentor
Key Concepts
power dynamics
networking etiquette
Practical Applications
- career coaching
- networking workshops
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you mitigate fear of rejection when networking?
- What boundaries should you set when asking for help?
