Hi UnPinkPanther...
Yes, true, if I didn't act... I'd just have a burning tongue!
But what I find it does for me is it lightens my mood...
Again, I believe it is the endorphins (your brain produces these in response to pain)...
I also believe in the "mood transference" theory of sales... That is, if you're trying to sell something, and you're depressed... You'll just make your prospect depressed too. But if you're in an enthusiastic mood... your enthusiasm will transfer to your prospect as well!
And they'll be more likely to buy.
If you haven't read it yet, please read Gordon Alexander's "White Bread Story"...
http://sowpub.com/story-whitebread.shtml
I once did a sales job, selling cheap comedy club tickets over the phone, to completely random people. I often won the weekly sales competition... I believe my secret eating of hot chili sauce at the start of my sales day helped me to do it...
(My then-girlfriend, now-wife, called it my "magic feather"... Insultingly comparing me to Dumbo the elephant! The nerve!
)
That's the story, and I'm sticking to it...!
Best wishes,
Dien