CIGARS, CIGARETTES, TIPARELLOS

I got off to a slow start in my "cigar" job. This was my first experience of working in a general office atmosphere, and I had a lot to learn.

My boss on the job was Frank____________. Frank had been with the company for quite some time and knew the cigar business. His title was National Marketing Manager and he was responsible for opening new markets, primarily in the eastern part of the country.

Much of my job was statistical. I had to research the retail cigar business through different media channels and write up reports about what I had found. Occasionally I travelled with Frank to areas outside of Philadelphia to conduct surveys looking for wholesalers with whom we could make arrangements for them to distribute our products to their retailers, and if so, make contractural arrangements to do business together.

The national sales office staff was small in number. It consisted of the general sales manager, his assistant, two office secretaries, Frank and myself. The women were somewhat standoffish in regards to me, and no friendship could be developed. The lead woman was the G.M.'s secretary and very proud of her poisition. Woe betide any of us who crossed her path. She would hustle into the boss's office to complain, and the accused was on the carpet..

My lack of experience made the job difficult. I had to depend on Frank for direction almost daily and that was wearing on the two of us. There were days when I had little, or nothing to do and that also made things difficult.

About a year and half into the job, I heard of an opening in the retail branch which was located on the first floor of the same building. With Frank's permission, I applied and was accepted. Ah, the freedom from boredom and into activity - what a break.

More, later.