How to say "no" the right way (and not feel bad about it later!)
For those of us who are "stand up for yourself" challenged, uttering the word "no" can be uber-difficult. But sometimes, it's just necessary. Like when your friend wants to set you up with another loser. When that telemarketer calls 10 times in a row (stalker!). Or when your BF wants to borrow money -- again. That two-letter word may seem impossible to say without feeling like a total meanie. But trust us, honey, it's doable.
Stall, stall, stall. Don't want to answer with an insta-no? Instead of saying yes now to something you really, really don't want to do, buy yourself some time. Just ask if you can get back to them with an answer tomorrow. This way, you can take the time to decide if saying "yes" is what you actually want.
Don't elaborate. Saying no is hard enough. But standing there and giving some long-winded explanation of why you can't say yes is sooo painful. (Can you say awkward?) So keep your "no" simple. When a creepified guy asks you out, just say you already have plans. When your boss asks you to volunteer your weekend at some boring event, just say you have family obligations. The key to explanations that aren't excruciating is to get in, get out and move on.
Do it face-to-face. It's tempting to email or text your rejection. But if you give someone the courtesy of turning them down in person, they'll take it less personally.
Make them forget you even said "no." End the convo on a high note by giving them a better alternative. When your friend invites you to dinner with her ultra-annoying, burping, bad-mannered husband, tell her you're busy but you'd love to spend some one-on-one girl time with her sometime. You'll avoid losing your appetite while sitting across from a guy who belongs on "Jackass" without upsetting your friend. It's a win-win!
