The art of saying: "No !."

Sometimes people feel the urge of asking for favours or priveleges from others who are in a position to acceed to their demands. This situation may require  the bending of some established rules, something that responsible operators are very reluctant to accept. Broadly speaking, these situations  and attitudes are facts of life.  But serious people in power are conditioned by sound ethical and practical considerations. Their replies, in these circumstances, would be an emphatic : “No !”.

“No ! This is not possible, forget it !”, insist those in authority who cherish sound values and do not hide within the intepretations of double standards. But, of course, this is not always the end of the story.

Saying “No !” is an art. It must not hurt; it must not antagonize; it must not be abrasive. It is difficult but possible.

An alternative might be: “I very much understand you point and expectations, but in the prevailing circumstances, much to one’s regret, I cannot acceed to your request”.

What about the “yes” replies ? It is much easier to say “Yes, go ahead !. Do it, take it, and proceed !”  Pleasing others, at least those who are on the right side of our books, is predominantly satisfying. We all  hide the urge to please. It is not, in itself, a bad thing, provided that there are no  adverse results affecting others.

If only politicians take such considerations to heart, the unpleasantness in to-day’s living would be drastically redimensioned.

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