I always appreciated the older women in my life who gave me advice.
The specific kind that, back then, was only ever proffered by women. And always whispered.
Were the men back then oblivious or indifferent? Unsure. Probably a little bit of both.
I had just turned 17 when an executive secretary at McDonald’s head office in Canada took me aside and whispered “Don’t get into an elevator with Ronald McDonald”.
I laughed but stopped when I saw the look on her face. In or out of the clown suit, he would drink and get handsy. Better to just stay clear. It was so common then that avoidance was just the easiest option.
Ask your mother about Uncle Bobby and the shenanigans that went on with his “shaggin wagon” and school bus escapades. Or ask your sister how she was warned by classmates about Jian Ghomeshi and his internships, long before any trial.
So, as the junior account executive, I was given the task of ‘handling’ a retired NHL Superstar for a full day and evening while he was shooting a commercial for us, I was unable to use my customary devices of disappearing like smoke or driving my own car, and had to physically be with him, the entire time. And the unspoken, but clear message was, keep him happy.
That’s me in the photo in the middle, in the green dress. I am 19 and have been working full time for 3 years. The production guy is sitting down, and the woman in front of me was my secretary whom I forced, at the very last minute, to accompany me for this entire adventure.
The man standing behind me is Yvan Cournoyer. At the time, he was famous not only for the 10 Stanley Cup wins with the Montreal Canadiens, but also his stellar performance with Team Canada.
I was not a hockey fan, and was only just aware of him by name. After we finished the shoot, we went to the CN Tower. Stunned at the amount of people that recognized him, wanted to stop him, talk to him, shake his hand (no selfies back then). People were hugging him and he was incredibly patient and kind and gracious with every single one.
It took us forever to navigate any public space because of the attention and affection he received. And his kindness and grace carried over to his treatment of my secretary and me – and everyone else on the shoot. Absolutely a natural gentleman who went beyond to be kind and solicitous – asking if we were too cold, or if we wanted to sit down.
My secretary never knew that I brought her that day strictly for my protection. She thought I was just sharing a great experience with her. Turned out I was.
Slightly More Than Necessary 