smooth recoveries
The heaviest dropped brick can be picked up, the stickiest situation saved if you know how!
WE'RE warning you! No one escapes an occasional embarrassing moment; they have a nasty habit of happening to everybody. And since the earth never does swallow you up at the vital moment, however hard you pray it will, here are hints on how to cope.
Best maxim for sticky situations is “Least said, soonest mended." When tea gets accidentally spilled over someone’s dress, the wise culprit makes a sincere but brief apology, does what she can to repair the damage, then keeps quiet. She knows her victim is as anxious to forget the mishap as she is.
The same rule holds good for other gaffes. Get behind with local gossip and it's all too easy, for instance, to ask when a wedding will be only to be told, with stony stare, that the engagement was broken ages ago. -
A quiet “I'm so sorry; I hadn't heard" is the best pick-me-up for this kind of dropped brick. An innocent error is soon forgiven.
Quick wits can save some situations.
We take off our hats to the young wife who was being polite to a chatty neighbour when her husband thinking the visitor had left, called gaily from the garden:
“Thank goodness that old bore has gone!"
“Yes, she left hours ago," his wife replied. "Mrs. Brown is here now."
But if a situation like some of those pictured here-seems beyond a smooth recovery, don't despair. Most people, remembering their own mistakes, will help put matters right.
Finally, don't 'brood over an embarrassment. Find the funny side or, better still, forget the whole affair be sure others have, long ago.
"Let me introduce. . ." And then horrors! the name eludes you; your mind's an utter blank. There's the coward's way out of this situation: pretending very urgent business elsewhere would they introduce them selves? But better to confess. Make fun of your forgetfulness (plus a serious private resolution to improve).
"That's John ahead..." But the man who turns at your tap is a complete stranger! A rapid retreat is the answer here, after a brief explanation: “I'm so , sorry; I mistook you for someone I know". It will be accepted sympathetically most people have made this mistake-but be more careful in future. “Call any time . . ." That's what she said. But you do, and find other visitors there. Well, don't rush off at once, embarrassing the hostess further. And don't, unless very sure of yourself, be persuaded to stay. Instead, smilingly explain you are only paying a flying visit on the way to another engagement. Then be as good as your word and fly !
"Just a moment, cabby..." But your escort is looking more and more flustered; can it be, after that rather expensive outing, he hasn't enough to pay the fare? Don't risk it. Say calmly: . "Oh, do you want some change?'" And hand it over with a confident smile that implies you are quite certain he has a five-pound note (about $13.95)? In every pocket
No comments:
Post a Comment