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Tip 832: Wear the remark. |
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Try going along with the other person's comment. Such a response drains all the fun. |
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INSULTER: You took about twice as long as most people to do this report. Were you aware of that? |
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YOU: It's really closer to three times as long. |
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INSULTER: So did you realize we were all waiting on the information? |
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YOU: Yes, I knew it. |
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INSULTER: So what are you going to do to speed up the process next month? |
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YOU: I don't think I'll change a thing. It worked out just fine for me this way. I think I'll just try to see if I can set a new record for delivery time since I'm already so close. |
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Tip 833: Create inside humor. |
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A shared joke or amusement builds intimacy. Try to find something both of you have in common and develop a running joke about ityour lengthy staff meetings, the cafeteria pizza, customer Brown's absentmindedness. Try anything to give you a shared laugh. It's the same phenomenon of "our song" between lovers. |
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Tip 834: Use self-disparaging humor. |
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A telemarketer at a major credit card company recently took an insult when she called to verify a prospect's receipt of his card: The prospect responded, "I do not want the card. What do I have to do to make that cleartattoo it on your butt?" |
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The telemarketer started to laugh. |
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The prospect yelled, "What's so funny?" |
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She said, "Sir, if you only knew how big my butt is . . . it'd take all day." |
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The guy burst out laughing with her. |
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Various studies show that those who are credible and competent actually enhance their images with others when they use self-deprecating comments. Often, the most successful comedians are those who poke fun at themselves: the bald-headed man who tells "hairless" jokes, the obese lady who relates her tendencies to eat the whole pie, the Jewish mother who talks about forcing the mail carrier to eat her chicken soup. To others around them, these coworkers appear to be witty, generous, and likable. If you have a strong ego and are generally competent in your job, laugh at yourself and invite others to join you. |
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