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How to (Not) Tell Someone NO

sign with quote How to Tell Someone NO

Sometimes you struggle with writing ideas, sometimes stories present themselves just as you sit down to write.

Today, I don’t want to talk about how I can’t seem to say NO to people I don’t know.

My worst nightmare consists of me being rude to others. Now that I think about it, I saw some terrible creatures in my dream last night. They wouldn’t stop showing up all over the place. I wasn’t worried, but they probably were the stuff nightmares are made of. A nightmare could be me being rude to those creatures.

Kinda proud of my dream self, she handled it so well, 0 freaking out, maximum efficiency, who is sheee. Imagine having to explain Internet humor like “who is sheee” to people. That would create the ultimate fictional nightmare.

As I was saying, I hate unnecessary rudeness. Like it’s ever a necessity, but you know.

Now I’m at a place I didn’t want to be in because I couldn’t just say, “Nah, I’m good.” I don’t mean that metaphorically.

I wanted to get some work done by the beach, looking at the waves, a light breeze on my hair…

At the moment, I’m in this basement bar, hearing the people who work here trying to prove who’s the least dumb, thus more deserving of my attention, the WiFi isn’t even working, so I can’t get much work done, and now I’m complaining about something that is my fault.

There were no outlets outside for my uncharged laptop, so I couldn’t sit there. I could’ve easily gone to one of the 50 other bars close by that have outlets outside. But no.

The waiter said, “You can stay inside. Stay inside. Inside. There’s a cord outlet inside”.

I hesitated for a second, then he reiterated, “Inside.” I was defeated.

Can’t wait to tell my friends, who will roast me for days. I can already hear it: “You tell us NO all the fucking time, but you can’t tell a guy you’ve never met and never will meet again that you don’t want to sit there?”

They roasted me last time we were on vacation for a similar occurrence.

I had some stomach issues. Despite being miles away, my mum convinced me to get some medication. The one we always get for stomach issues. After walking for a long time, I finally found a pharmacy. All I needed was that kind of medicine, I knew the name and the quantity. I felt convinced I’d be fine afterward, as I always do.

I got out of the pharmacy pissed, with a shitload of pills and whatnot with me, despite saying “No, I don’t need that! Or that!” very clearly, several times. The pharmacist kept insisting, “Yes, you do.” This went on for about two minutes until I caved in. I’m weak, and natural selection will take care of me sooner rather than later.

Many people have researched this matter and written amazing books and articles on how to fucking deal, I’m sure. At the moment, it’s not at the stage where I need to be legitimately worried, and I have faith I’ll figure it out with no outside help. If anything, it’s funny.

Growing up, I was on the opposite side of the kindness spectrum. Maybe I’m making up for old times with the extra YES-es?

I like to think of it that way. Like anything, it’s a journey.

“The sometimes scary process of perpetually moving forward.”

Sarah Blondin, Live Awake

Since I’d feel bad for making you read 600 words without offering any actionable takeaway besides “It be like that sometimes,” here it is, the secret to success. Not clickbait. Thanks for reading!

2 thoughts on “How to (Not) Tell Someone NO”

    1. Thanks Derrick, a friend of mine mentioned this to me a while back and rereading it was a wild ride indeed haha. “I’ll try anything once; twice if I like it” right, I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it.

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