Because management constantly wanted us to work additional shifts. At the time I was working part-time for them, a morning shift for about 6 hours a day, so that I could read and write in the afternoons. Early on they started asking me to work the afternoons when they were in a bind...initially I did that....but I quickly learned they were always in a bind.
Toward the end of my career there that ended in 2003, the efficiency experts started arriving and at that time started making, in my mind, ridiculous demands. These were people who never did our jobs, never delivered a package in their life....trying tell us how to do it. Treated us like children.....I was late forties when I left....but I have noticed so much of what I disagreed with in corporate America has come home to roost in our governments.....
You have a "¹" and a "²" for designating footnotes, but no footnotes. 🤔 Was this on purpose?
With the FBI example, wouldn't that be, "No." "BANG!"? Because they'll shoot and kill you.
Also, one "No" rarely works. Minimum seems to be 3, with continued rise in voice volume and heavy sighing, against the argumentative, rude, doctor or nurse.
If the FBI has to worry about the BANG! coming from inside the house owned by the innocent person they are trying to intimidate the "No!" will be respected.
With Venezuelan gangs taking over apartment buildings a citizen cannot be blamed for answering inquiries from behind a closed door with a barrel pressed up against it.
"No" kind of bursts a bubble, doesn't it? Maybe it's a happy bubble or a pompous bubble or an "I am your friend" bubble. Once the bubble bursts, the relationship changes.
Salami slicing is a political tactic where small, incremental changes are made to avoid backlash or go unnoticed. Imagine you have a whole salami, like freedom of speech, and it’s sliced thinly, piece by piece, until nothing is left. This is a deliberate strategy used by politicians (the term originates from Hungarian communist leader Mátyás Rákosi). The tactic works because each small change seems insignificant on its own, making it easier to dismiss/downplay, isolate dissidents, and even gaslight people into accepting changes without realising the full impact. If more people understood these manipulation tactics, there would be a lot more 'No's.
It's like raising prices, e.g. for gas: if they would triple the gas price from one day to the other, upheaval. As they are going 10c up, 6c down, 12c up, 7c down... nothing happens.
So very good! The Annual Convention looks excitingly negative :)
I'm an old practitioner of No and it's true that saying No often provokes a charming utterly confused look from the Authorities of the moment.
No is a start.
I learned the use of "No" during my many years as a delivery driver for DHL.
Why was No necessary as a delivery driver?
Because management constantly wanted us to work additional shifts. At the time I was working part-time for them, a morning shift for about 6 hours a day, so that I could read and write in the afternoons. Early on they started asking me to work the afternoons when they were in a bind...initially I did that....but I quickly learned they were always in a bind.
So I started saying "No."
They kept asking. I kept saying "No."
Finally they just stopped asking.
I see. I thought it must be an abusive request from the bosses but I was wondering about what.
Toward the end of my career there that ended in 2003, the efficiency experts started arriving and at that time started making, in my mind, ridiculous demands. These were people who never did our jobs, never delivered a package in their life....trying tell us how to do it. Treated us like children.....I was late forties when I left....but I have noticed so much of what I disagreed with in corporate America has come home to roost in our governments.....
Yes.
Good one.
No, is the shortest and most powerful of words, in every language. Great article.
Love this article! I use No in many small ways in my everyday life;
Will you be paying by card? No
Would you like to self-checkout? No
Would you like to try our new plant-based “beef” burger? No
Would you like to turn location services on? No
Just scan our QR code! No
And the latest; from my doctor; You’re 56 and your cholesterol is elevated a little; I’d like you to look at cholesterol lowering medication: No
Short, simple, no elaboration required; it says it all!
You have a "¹" and a "²" for designating footnotes, but no footnotes. 🤔 Was this on purpose?
With the FBI example, wouldn't that be, "No." "BANG!"? Because they'll shoot and kill you.
Also, one "No" rarely works. Minimum seems to be 3, with continued rise in voice volume and heavy sighing, against the argumentative, rude, doctor or nurse.
Thanks for catching that. I've added the footnotes. You are correct, repetition is sometimes needed.
Thank-you!
If the FBI has to worry about the BANG! coming from inside the house owned by the innocent person they are trying to intimidate the "No!" will be respected.
With Venezuelan gangs taking over apartment buildings a citizen cannot be blamed for answering inquiries from behind a closed door with a barrel pressed up against it.
"No, fuck off and die" is also good
If you have a child start practicing with them. It will improve both of you.
Good one!
If only the men, women and children of the countryside weren’t doused with and swimming in pesticides that are being bombarded on the farms.
Somehow “just say no” is t enough. Slipping a Mickey into the cocktail is probably how they get these people trapped.
It’s not like they come right up and say, we need you to agree to do A,B,C so that you get XYZ.
Sometimes it is that simple though....just from what I've read. Not always, of course, your point is valid.
If they are that easily swayed then we are in so much trouble. We have so much work to do to get people MORALIZED and PRINCIPLED.
People are slaves to money.
I think many people, unfortunately, if offered enough money will cave to secure, in their minds, security and safety.
Good article
Thanks.
"No" kind of bursts a bubble, doesn't it? Maybe it's a happy bubble or a pompous bubble or an "I am your friend" bubble. Once the bubble bursts, the relationship changes.
I need more “NO” practice…
There needs to be more awareness of salami-slicing, though lately, they've become more bold.
You're gonna have to explain that one to me.
Salami slicing is a political tactic where small, incremental changes are made to avoid backlash or go unnoticed. Imagine you have a whole salami, like freedom of speech, and it’s sliced thinly, piece by piece, until nothing is left. This is a deliberate strategy used by politicians (the term originates from Hungarian communist leader Mátyás Rákosi). The tactic works because each small change seems insignificant on its own, making it easier to dismiss/downplay, isolate dissidents, and even gaslight people into accepting changes without realising the full impact. If more people understood these manipulation tactics, there would be a lot more 'No's.
Thanks! Never heard that before. Appreciate the explanation.
It's like raising prices, e.g. for gas: if they would triple the gas price from one day to the other, upheaval. As they are going 10c up, 6c down, 12c up, 7c down... nothing happens.
After 3 x “No”, it’s “absofuckinglutely not!” Always works.
I need to add that to my arsenal.
I like it!