Yoshikaの英語ワンポイントレッスン Vol. 72
相手の名前を忘れた!答えたくない質問をされた等、人間関係では微妙な状況がよくあるもの。そんな時、自分と相手の両方のプライドを傷つけずに切り抜けるには?
"HOW TO DEAL WITH AWKWARD SITUATIONS"
Sometimes you feel uncomfortable answering certain questions or are at a loss of what to say in certain situations. Use this guide to help you get through those awkward situations without compromising you or the other persons' dignity!
(1) | You can't remember someone's name: The best thing you can do is tell that person you forgot his or her name. Try to associate their name with something about their appearance (Emma has braces). |
(2) | Someone spills a drink on you, be gracious and just go clean up. |
(3) |
No one is reaching for the check at dinner: If it wasn't already established that you would pay for everyone's meal, take the bill and start dividing each person's share. |
(4) |
Group gift that everyone pitches in for, but that you don't want to: Simply decline to pitch in. You should not feel obligated to pitch in for anything to anyone. You can say something like "I will think about how I want to show my gratitude to _____ (name of recipient)." Or "I will get her something on my own." |
(5) |
Friend or family member asks for money: If you do not want to give this person money, offer help in other ways. Helping him or her find a temporary job; selling items; etc. |
(6) |
Questions about money: "How much money do you make?" "How much did that cost you?" "How much is your mortgage/rent?"
Answer: If you do not feel comfortable telling people how much money you make, you do not have to. There are rude people out there. One way to answer this question is to try to be funny. If someone asks about your salary you can say "not enough!" And if someone asks how much your car or item costs, you can say "too much!" You can get around answering the question without giving a numerical number. |
(7) |
Situation: One of your friends provides a service that you are not happy with. Maybe he is a graphic designer and you don't like his work; or he is a contractor who did a bad job fixing something in your house; or a hair stylist who cut your hair and you don't like it.
Rather than saying flat out that you don't like it, start by saying what you do like about it, how you appreciate their work….and ask for some changes. Usually, services like hair styling, graphic design, and contracting are services that are contingent upon the customer being completely satisfied with the work. Because of this, you are able to go back and ask for improvements until you are completely satisfied. |
Remember that an awkward situation only becomes awkward when the other person becomes embarrassed. If you react in an angry way, it will only make the situation feel more awkward. If you are uncomfortable or offended by something someone says, it will show. Be the better person by being respectful and gracious to the other person.
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