37 Comments
User's avatar
cfall's avatar

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.

The Inmate's avatar

I learned the use of "No" during my many years as a delivery driver for DHL.

cfall's avatar

Why was No necessary as a delivery driver?

The Inmate's avatar

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.

cfall's avatar

I see. I thought it must be an abusive request from the bosses but I was wondering about what.

The Inmate's avatar

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.....

John's avatar

Yes.

John's avatar

No, is the shortest and most powerful of words, in every language. Great article.

Liz T 🇦🇺's avatar

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!

Bandit's avatar

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.

The Inmate's avatar

Thanks for catching that. I've added the footnotes. You are correct, repetition is sometimes needed.

Bandit's avatar

Thank-you!

Pope T-Bone XXL's avatar

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.

Brigadoon's avatar

"No, fuck off and die" is also good

Bandit's avatar

FOADMF has always been a good one.

Pope T-Bone XXL's avatar

If you have a child start practicing with them. It will improve both of you.

Luc Kenbach's avatar

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.

JRCCreasey©️✅'s avatar

After 3 x “No”, it’s “absofuckinglutely not!” Always works.

The Inmate's avatar

I need to add that to my arsenal.

Murphy Kismet's avatar

For me it's be: "Ask me again, mf!" - Samuel L Jackson style. 😎

The Inmate's avatar

Thanks, you made me laugh out loud. Always appreciated.

Sharon R. Fiore's avatar

I hate that picture of the “strong woman “ making a muscle. I’m so sick and tired of feminism, a blight on the world.

The Inmate's avatar

I see that drawing as representational of the strength and fortitude of both men and women, not something to be taken literally. I agree with you about feminism.

Jursy Gurl's avatar

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.

The Inmate's avatar

Sometimes it is that simple though....just from what I've read. Not always, of course, your point is valid.

Jursy Gurl's avatar

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.

The Inmate's avatar

I think many people, unfortunately, if offered enough money will cave to secure, in their minds, security and safety.

Jenni Madden's avatar

"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.

Kelly's avatar

I need more “NO” practice…

Cat Burglar's avatar

I like it!

User's avatar
Comment deleted
Sep 22, 2024
Comment deleted
The Inmate's avatar

I'm not assuming that at all. I'm assuming she's a committed Christian who will NOT compromise.

User's avatar
Comment deleted
Sep 11, 2024
Comment deleted
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Sep 5, 2024
Comment deleted
The Inmate's avatar

You're gonna have to explain that one to me.

User's avatar
Comment deleted
Sep 5, 2024
Comment deleted
The Inmate's avatar

Thanks! Never heard that before. Appreciate the explanation.

IgorPM's avatar

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.