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Show Bridal and Formal Wiear Insurance Loss Slipping out of sticky situations DrofifiQS $ 2 4 and up Everything in tho warehouse 65%0FF Everything must be sold A how-to guide to politely avoiding the awkward and answering the unanswerable fjovons iwcedos Shoes ^Accessories jformal Presses Opon Thursday & Friday 3p.m. to 7p.m. Saturday 11a.m. to 7p.m. or by appointment 801.721.1932 Baur Investments, LLC 2533 N. 1500 W., Farr West. UT. Located in the Ogden/Weber Industrial Park. GREAT MEXICAN FOOD ys ONLY HOUSE OF THE FAMOUS FAjTTAS SEAFOOD AND MUCH, MUCH MORE BANQUET FACILITIES - UP TO 100 PEOPLE MON.- THUR. 11AM- 10PM FRI.- SAT. 1 1AM- 1 1PM • SUN. 12PM- 10PM Call Ahead for Carry-Out D.A.B.C. License 753-4084 753-4276 1079 N. Main Logan Fax 753-4161 The awkward years never joke-teller the message that you were not amusecC while Leave. Over time, the awkward not making you look snooty. years evolve from an entire year to a few months, then eventu- The problem with lending: ally to a couple of weeks, then When you move into a from a few weeks to a few new apartment or meet new days every once in a while, friends, lending almost always until they finally become awk- becomes an issue. With girls, ward moments • this problem is almost mmmm that never actualways clothes or Emmo Tippetts jewelry. ally disappear. With guys, it may be video games, Awkward DVDs or money. moments never Some people are get easier and obviously hesitant only those who to lend anything to are on their toes anyone, others nave and think quickan open-door polily can really deal cy, but what i f you with them effecWhat you are somewhere in tively. never learned between? Here are some This is the category tips to help you I fall into. deal with some of the most common hard-toI don't mind if my best deal-with situations students friend borrows my favorite encounter. shirt or if a roomie needs $10, but I don't want a complete stranger prancing around How to deal with a bailer: You've got a friend who in my diamond earrings or is great in every way, except always mooching off my DVD you can never count on them. collection. They always cancel plans at The first thing to do in this the last minute and never situation is evaluate the value show up when they say they of what is being lent. Never will. lend anything that would devYou make lunch plans, she's astate you if it got ruined. busy with school. Dinner? He's Don't lend anything you tired. Study group? Basketball can't afford to lose. If a check game? It's always just one excuse after another. I read a great solution to this problem called the "Praise Sandwich" technique. You have a friend who Start out by saying something constantly bails on you: truthful, flattering and sincere, then explain how you feel about their excuses and why. You hear an offensive Make sure they know you joke: are serious or they won't take it seriously. Then end with a positive affirmation that you care You're hesitant to lend and want to continue being something to a friend: friends. After you've confronted them, give them another chance. • ' Y o u can't be mad at someYou're stuck in an awkone for something you never Warcl elevator situation: confronted them about. If they bail on you again, then maybe it's time for you to bail on them. If. How to handle an offensive joke: You're having a great time hanging out with your buddies and then someone cracks a sexist, racist or offensive joke. The room fills with that awkward silence where everyone looks around giggling nervously and staring at each other. Chances are, this situation will disappear when people pretend to laugh, but on the other hand, that's just condoning the joke and leaving room for another one to follow. If the comment can damage someone's reputation, you should say something to defend the person rather than condone the ridicule. If the comment if just distasteful, it's easiest to just change the subject quickly. Confronting someone about a crude joke only makes the situation more awkward and leads to a night of dwelling on the situation. The obvious and abrupt change of subject will give the 1 North Main, Logan • 435.753.3497 $ow Renting for Fal^ University Pines 400 N. 500 E. $2500 for School Year includes: , All Utilities Furnished Wireless Internet Cable TV Dishwasher, Microwave Private Bedrooms 435-770-5741 in your hands. The real responsibility lies with the borrower. If you take something that's not yours, give it back. I had to learn this lesson the hard way by returning 14 hot tamales to the grocery store after I took them from the enticing candy bins at the back of the store. But I learned that no matter how much you want to keep it, it doesn't belong to you. Give it back in a timely manner and most likely the borrower will more induced to allow, you to borrow it again. Don't assume that since you've borrowed before, you can borrow again — ask each and every time. If you can sense the lender is reluctant, don't push the issue, just forego the transaction and move on. You're friendship will thank you. The professor elevator: The awkward elevator has been the subject of multiple psychology experiments and theories, but what happens when the only two people in the elevator are you and your professor? Do you break the carnal rule of no conversations in Then... Try the praise sandwich technique, be upfront with them and tell them how you feel. Change the subject rath? er than make tne situation worse by laughing to encourage more Don't lend anything that can't be replaced or you'd be devestated to lose, be clear to lenders. Make small talk with whoever; it's better than an silence and the ride will be over soon. You're asked a really nosy Answer in a generaliza, question you don't want tion and try to spur a new conversation. to answer: won't or can't equal the value, don't lend the item under any circumstances. If you feel guilt)' saying no, just be honest and explain it can't be replaced and you don't want to take any risks. The second question to ask is, if this does get ruined, will it ruin our friendship? If the answer is maybe, or yes, don't lend the item. It's simply easier to never lend the item in the first place rather than suffer through the repercussions of trying to get it replaced or damaged. If you do choose to lend, don't be afraid to make sure it gefs back. Ask them if they can please return it by tomorrow morning or before you do laundry next. Setting a time limit on borrowed items is not in any way rude or hurtful to the borrower. If it doesn't get returned, confront them on it and make sure you get it back the elevator or do you take the opportunity to impress your professor with your wit and charm? Neither. I hate the awkward elevator rule. An elevator ride is a 15second opportunity to meet a new friend. If you get stuck in an elevator with your professor, don't waste the 15 seconds by talking about how much you love their class — especially if ifs a lie — or trying to get some dirt on the midterm; be a real person and talk to them as if they were, as well. There are not many topics you can fully cover in 15 seconds, but the weather is always a good place to start. Sports, current events or just asking them how their day is going so far are all good topics to turn to. Whatever you do, don't sit silent unless they are obvi- ously engaged in a phone conversation or reading material. Talk to them as you would any other person and your professor will notice you as a person, not just another student, which might help you when you need nelp studying for the midterm. How to deal with nosy questions: There are three types of people in this world: those who tell everyone everything, those who don't tell a single soul anything and those who tell some, but not others, and talk about some things, but not everything. I rank at about a 2.6 on this one. But how do you answer questions you don't want the asker to know the answer to? Very carefully. You don't have to answer anyone's nosy questions directly. Most of the time, giving an obviously bogus answer, or saying something that redirects the conversation is the best way to avoid these situations. Question: How much do you pay in rent? Answer: "Rent in this area is usually around ..." or say, "I can give you the number of my landlord; he'll be able to tell you current prices." This way, it doesn't jeopardize the friendship and you can keep your financial information to yourself. Question: Can I come? (When you want to answer with a flat out no.) Answer: " O h , we'll be back in just a few minutes/' (if that's true) or if you're out for the night, perhaps say, "This trip is not going to be that thrilling, so we'll all go when we have something more exciting planned." Then actually follow up and plan something where you all go out together. Question: What were you talking about? Answer: "Outsourcing"... or "Oh, just the new additions to tne TSC," something that will spur a conversation from somewhere else. If this question comes from someone who overheard your phone conversation, simply sincerely apologize for talking so loud and they'll get the hint. Acting awkward in an obviously awkward situation only makes the circumstances more awkward. If you're caught in a state of affairs that you're not sure how to deal with, act normal. If you run into an old boyfriend or girlfriend at the mall with your current significant other, simply act like a normal human being, introduce your friends to each other and move on. Simple chivalry and common courtesy is always the best policy when it comes to cleaning up those sticky situations. Emma Tippetts is a junior majoring in print journalism and law and constitutional studies. etippetts@cc. usu. edu Second-Tier Tuition PUBLIC HEARING March 8, noon Taggart Student Center Sunburst Lounge Issues to be Discussed: •Base Deficit Reduction •Enrollment Services -Student Initiatives •Faculty/Staff Retention -Faculty in High-Demand Areas |