lunch break AND ONE
MORE THING . . .
THE ART OF SAYING NO
Helen Albert Science journalist
Are you just a girl (or boy) who can’t say no? HELEN ALBERT can relate. Here she explains why for busy urban professionals, no is the new yes I’m not sure whether it’s an inner fear of being left out, but not being able to say no is something I seem to be particularly susceptible to. The most recent case in point being a friend asking me if I was free to join her on a charity bike ride next weekend. I blithely said yes without asking for any further details, only to find that I’ve signed myself up for a 100-mile ride that includes going up some serious hills. I moved to London in 2005, and one of the things I like about the city is
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the many and varied opportunities it offers for entertainment. I only knew one person living in London when I moved here, but I now have a large circle of friends. One noticeable thing that is particularly London-centric is how busy everyone appears to be. Not only do people work long hours and usually have long commutes, but everyone seems to spend all their free time socialising. Arranging a simple dinner or a meeting for a drink often has to be arranged three if not four weeks in advance, something that baffles newcomers to the city. If you are fortunate enough to be invited out often, it can be tempting to
always say yes, either because you worry that people will be offended, or you don’t want to miss out, but these reasons are largely in our minds and most people will not be offended if you decline politely. There is something to be said for the occasional quiet night in, curled up on the sofa with a good book or in front of the TV. In my experience it helps make nights out more fun and I definitely feel less tired as a result, or I would if I’d actually mastered the art of being able to say no! Note to self, no is the new yes…
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