# The Office: "Heavy Competition" (Open Spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 17, 2009, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384 "2009-04-17T04:21:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/41 "2009-04-17T20:24:01Z")
Dwight is a great salesman because he avoids the run-around. He knows all the details about what he’s selling and answers questions straightforwardly. You know exactly what you’re getting from him. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/42 "2009-04-17T20:36:08Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > Cheeseballs! How can nobody mention cheeseballs?! > > Best part of the episode. Especially when Pam yawned and got hit by two cheeseballs. 😃 I was disappointed that we didn’t see New Kelly in this episode. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/43 "2009-04-17T21:06:59Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > Especially when Pam yawned and got hit by two cheeseballs. 😃 One of which remained lodged, undetected, in the curl of her hair. ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/44 "2009-04-17T21:11:46Z")
I need to incorporate the spinmove in my business life. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/45 "2009-04-17T21:22:58Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Pretty much a winnah for all characters. The writers seem to be having a tough time coming up with plot devices for the Jim character, now that the sexual tension is gone. Ryan too, since he’s a convicted white-collar criminal now. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/46 "2009-04-17T22:24:13Z")
> [@interface2x](#): > > “Be that as it may, but I’m going to eat your meatball sub.” > “HA! I ordered that because it’s obviously the worst thing on the menu!” _“Bastard!”_ ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/47 "2009-04-17T23:12:05Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Well, we know if you try to buy him a drink, he’ll discard it to guard against being drugged. But ISTR him holding a beer while at the bar with Michael & Ryan in NY. He also once mentioned going out drinking with either his laser tag or paintball team, in the episode where Jim tricked him into thinking Thursday was Friday. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/48 "2009-04-18T00:51:20Z")
Dwight took Ryan to a bar after his initiation. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/49 "2009-04-18T03:42:56Z")
I’m glad the writers didn’t let Micheal get a lucky sale. He actually knows what he is doing. This episode pretty much confirms that he can be a great salesman if he wants to be. The other episodes danced around it, but now we know he’s pretty good. Usually when Micheal confronts someone about anything, he loses. It’s nice to see him destroy someone in a competition. Micheal didn’t do anything stupid at all during that sales meeting. It was a flawless victory. I also liked how both Stanley and Philips knew that Dwight was in trouble. We rarely get to see the salesmen making sales. So we don’t know much about what they think of each others talents. It was pleasing to see Stanley and Philips acknowledge Micheal’s sales skills, and Dwight absolutely in fear of them. Will we see Micheal go against Stanley or Philips? Jim? That would be awesome to watch. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/50 "2009-04-18T03:55:32Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > Usually when Micheal confronts someone about anything, he loses. It’s nice to see him destroy someone in a competition. Micheal didn’t do anything stupid at all during that sales meeting. It was a flawless victory. Michael has actually beat Dwight quite a few times, even in a fight once. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/51 "2009-04-18T04:03:28Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > Will we see Micheal go against Stanley or **Philips**? Do you mean Phyllis? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/52 "2009-04-18T04:23:40Z")
See, that’s the thing. When Michael is on his game he _cannot_ be beat; it’s why he got [promoted to his level of incompetence.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle) Dwight became assistant to the branch manager because he is both an adequate salesman and a good flunky for Michael. He will never rise above that imaginary position. Stanley, Phyllis, and Jim are also at their levels of incompetence: they don’t care enough to do more than what is needed to not get fired. Maybe they could rise to a challenge, but it’s too much trouble. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/53 "2009-04-18T04:41:55Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > See, that’s the thing. When Michael is on his game he _cannot_ be beat; it’s why he got [promoted to his level of incompetence.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle) Dwight became assistant to the branch manager because he is both an adequate salesman and a good flunky for Michael. He will never rise above that imaginary position. Stanley, Phyllis, and Jim are also at their levels of incompetence: they don’t care enough to do more than what is needed to not get fired. Maybe they could rise to a challenge, but it’s too much trouble. Cool link. Wasn’t aware of that term. They even reference The Office, (and Office Space which is the first thing that came to mind after reading your post, particularly; “they don’t care enough to do more than what is needed to not get fired”, which is something the protagonist, **Peter** , basically says to the Bobs). ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/54 "2009-04-18T04:59:58Z")
_The Peter Principle_ may have been treated as satire, but it is also one of the most important business books ever published. It lures you in by being funny, but it keeps you by being true. You’ll never see your co-workers or bosses in the same way. _The Dilbert Principle_ expands on it, and its final chapter is better and more insightful than any business book I ever read. But, because both revile the incompetence of those who outrank you, which is patently obvious to you and your lunch crowd, your boss will never require you to read them. Instead, you can, on your own, read and use them; you are then at an advantage over your cow-orkers. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/55 "2009-04-18T05:31:45Z")
The Dilbert Principle applies to The Office as well. We all wondered how Michael got to be the boss/middle managment, The Dilbert Principle helps explain this a little. Edit: then again, how could he skrew up so badly as a salesman. Dwight’s a goof too, could HE be the boss? ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/56 "2009-04-18T05:41:25Z")
Dwight’s alter-ego in England did become the boss, but only because Jim’s alter-ego turned the job down. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/57 "2009-04-18T05:44:02Z")
I know. I have to watch that again. Dwight SORT OF got to be the boss, and painted his office black. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/58 "2009-04-18T10:41:29Z")
Was there a meta joke in there? Jim or Pam was talking about how Andy was going to marry Angela, but he found out she’d been “sleeping with Dwight for years… years? How could that be? Yeah, that timeline doesn’t quite add up”. When Michael and Dwight were on the phone and Michael didn’t understand who the “Will-Smith-like hero was” he asked “is it Charles?.. Stanley?” ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/59 "2009-04-18T11:37:08Z")
I…understand…NOTHING!!! ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384/60 "2009-04-18T14:37:50Z")
I think Michael works as a salesman because he thinks of all his customers as friends, and genuinely enjoys being in their offices talking to them. If he loses a customer, I think he’s more let-down about the “friendship” than the sale. One of the series’ best moments was when we saw a video of ten-year-old Michael Scott (wearing a suit!) on a puppet-oriented children’s show, explaining that what he wanted to do when he grew up was “have a hundred kids so I can have a hundred friends and nobody can say no to being my friend.” It’s impressive when a child can get a fuzzy hand puppet to stare at him speechlessly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-heavy-competition-open-spoilers/493384.md?page=4)