Is it possible to offend someone by being nice to them?
Does it matter what ones title or position in life may be?
Should one be all gaga and forfeit ones principles for the whims and unreasonable expectations of another?

I am drawn to principled people. People who have the strength to stand by their convictions.
This industry is not an easy one and again, I stand in awe of many of my fellow advertisers.
You are far more adventerous and braver than I, in many many instances!

Diplomacy? Mmmmmm. Not an easy practice when one recieves a "slap" in the face that sends one reeling!

Shoo!

Ladies.......

How do u manage to deal with those that have the courage to undermine your humanity, your self-worth and intelligence without giving it back tenfold???

Damn.......I seriously lack patience at times.

What was it that Jack Nickolsan said in the movie "Anger Management"?

Gooseflabba....
GOOOooooseFLAaaaaaBbaaa!

And as Oscar Wilde said.

"I sometimes think that God, in creating man, somewhat over-estimated His ability."

Peace.

Xxx

B.

Your questions, are questions applicable to all types of businesses actually, and life in general, so hope its ok that I share my point of view.

"Is it possible to offend someone by being nice to them?"

Yes, as being nice can be misconstrued, especially if the person you are being nice to, does not trust people due to being taken advantage of before OR if the person is at heart a nasty piece of work himself/herself but pretends to be the opposite, so will accuse those of being nice to be false, as he/she is well versed in that form of deception already and will think all people are like himself/herself.

"Does it matter what ones title or position in life may be?"

In an ideal world, title and position in life, be it real or imagined, should have no bearing on anything, but in reality it does, because of how people react to those of a higher position. Does it mean that the person of a lower station in life, should allow those of a higher station in life to be abusive? No it does not. The onus is on the individual to choose how he/she responds.

"Should one be all gaga and forfeit ones principles for the whims and unreasonable expectations of another?"

One should never compromise one's principals, because ultimately your principals, is what defines you as a person. The minute you start doing things against your principals, you have set yourself on a course of self destruction by loosing yourself.

"How do u manage to deal with those that have the courage to undermine your humanity, your self-worth and intelligence without giving it back tenfold???"

By having the confidence to simply walking away and cut all ties. You do not need abusive, nor negative people in your life or in your business. Retaliation is a waste of time, energy and apart from giving you a fleeting moment of pleasure, is counter productive. What others think of you or say about you, is immaterial. You know who you are and at the end of the day, that is all that matters.

"Is it possible to offend someone by being nice to them?
Does it matter what ones title or position in life may be?"

It is.
Whilst I underwent a small op under local anesthetic I was rather comfortable. I was friendly with the woman doctor and made a few jokes - which was reacted on by her saying, more to her female assistant than to me, that I was not her maatjie and that she deserved some respect if anything. I had not said a single word untoward, so rather than breaking the ice her remark froze up the small theater in a millisecond. It showed me that if I was to talk to her I'd better wear a white coat first, my green victim-coat clearly being of no value whatsoever.
Something like that Bridgitte?
Then don 5 dumpies on the fingers of one hand, and clang them together rhythmically whilst ominously chanting "Warriors, come out to plaaayyyaayy ??" like in the movie Warriors - it's fun, it relaxes you and sets the tone for what's to come (especially when you have to drink the beers first :))
My advice is to loose the turd, I did.

In life, be true to yourself and thats all that matters. it matters none what others think of you. You will always have haters and people that want to bring you down at their level for their own comfort and benefit. Your thoughts create your world, so live well in it. Be authentic. My two rubbles worth.

This past week has exposed me to instances that have made me introspective and made my heart heavy.

Life does take one on strange journeys.

Unexpected journeys.

Brings u into contact with the most fascinating and challenging people when least expected.

Street wise.
Ha!
What is street wise?
Is it experience at the price of ones innocence?

Does "all" streetwise come at a hefty price?

Is it possible to be street wise at 21 and 22 and 23.....?

Or does it come with age??

Do role models play a part in a young persons life anymore?

And if they do, how do u define a role model?

I was introduced to a young lady by chance.
I knew of her. She did not know of me.
So beautiful.
So young.
..........So broken.

I just sat and listened......and walked away.

My heart cried.

Bless you.

Just Saying

This is one of the best posts I have read in a long time.
Well thought out and put in such a way that it is perceived as fact, certainly by myself.

Salud

Miss B

It is sad that a young lady can be so broken. I am assuming she is part of this industry.

This is a dangerous profession.

The physical and emotional tolls exacted from participants are gigantic. Some can handle it, and some dont.

This is actually a thread on its own and deserve far more time that I have now to comment.

Suffice to say that my heart goes out to her.

OH YES. Seen this way too often in this game.
If this business has taught me anything, as messed up as this sounds, its thatanybody, no matter their standing in life, has the potential to be an arse or pure evil. Consider how many women are abused from all walks of life. Now consider that these abusers interact among us and its very likely that several pople in your inner circle beat up their wives. These same men sit among us on the forum. We interact with them in business, on a very personal level. I learnt that more than anything else this business has the potential to break the strongest of people. That the human race is not inherently good like I've been raised to believe. Yes its cynical, I know.
By the same token its taught me that there's always someone who finds you beautiful. That love and kindness, more often than not, comes from the most unlikely people. Just because someone comes to me wearing a greasy overall doesn't mean he's dirty or less than.....there are mechanics who make more money than doctors. He may be that one person who makes your day. That the simplest packaged goods very often contain diamonds. I've found my faith in the human race restored by the simplest of people, I've found joy in the simpler things in life.

Life is indeed strange...

We love the ones who hurt us and hurt the ones who love us.

Nadia
Thank u for posting and writing such a "real" and "from the heart" response. U have touched on so many important points.
And the most important being that this line of business can break even the strongest of person.

And thus my appeal to punters...
For a healthier and happier mindset personally for myself:-

1. Don't generalise
2. Try not undermine a girls intelligence
3. Tune in to her the same way u want her to tune into u
4. Be kind with your words. It takes a lot of courage to "expose" oneself as one does in this line of service

There is NO easy money earned in this line of business, mg or wg.
Each one faces her own challenges and demons.

I think, respect goes both ways and leads to higher levels of service provided and expectations met.

Sadly. Some of us just don't have the courage to say it as is.
And financial direness leads one down the path of self-destruction and potentially to a point of no return.
Blessings to all and stay strong.

:(