Just like many sports, successful outcome comes from seizing and holding the initiative, and there are many “rules” that prevent us from doing that. Be polite, be professional, but *never* let them weaponize your good manners against your own interest.
If you happen to not be fluent in french fencing slang, a “riposte” is a quick return thrust – lightly but firmly taking the initiative back from the opponent. Like on the GIF below👇, although it usually looks more subtle than that. The question of “who has the initiative” is a very important one Read more…
At the very dawn of my legal drinking age, my friends and I spent many merry hours “testing our liver capacity” at a local bar. We were semi-regular patrons there, but we were experimenting with other places as well. After a while, the waiter gave us three paper vouchers good for a Read more…
Politeness is often used in a predatory way, like a stranger offering sweets to kids and then insisting it’s impolite to say no. As for Mr. Pin and Mr. Tulip, all that needs to be known about them at this point is that they are the kind of people who call you Read more…