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<I'm trying to think up something short, snappy but not snippy, etc, to
suggest that maybe, just maybe, other people might read sections he
doesn't... and then I thought I should stop to consider the possibility that
maybe, just maybe, he's right.>
In my previous life as director of a literacy program, I ran across a
terrific all-purpose comeback. This is from the Little Bill series of books
created by Bill Cosby. In the book, The Meanest Thing to Say, Little Bill's
dad gives him a word to say to the bully who's giving him a hard time.
"So?"
That's it. The bully says something else. Little Bill says, "So?" This
goes on and on until everyone is laughing.
It is very effective in dealing with unsolicited and unwarranted criticism.
Though, since it seems a bit snippy for the office, I've also developed my
own variation - "Yeah/OK".
"I never read that section."
"Yeah?"
"No, I don't like it."
Cheerfully, "OK."
Most of the time the person feels better just having been listened to and
goes back to their desk. If they have something productive to say, they'll
say it.
Don't use it often, but it works for me.
:)
Cindy Kight
Technical Communications Manager
RMS Group - Gilbarco, Inc.
Glendale, CA
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