From Lnscommunityradio
Often wish that you could hide under the nearest piece of furniture to avoid having to speak? Chances are that your sticky situation isn’t as bad as it seems. Here’s how to extract yourself from some common conundrums painlessly, and without stepping on any toes.
I Forgot the Name of Someone I Know
Don’t be mortified when you forget the name of an acquaintance or coworker. These things happen to everyone. Just say, “Oops, I’ve forgotten your name” and lightheartedly promise to remember it next time. When the person reminds you of his or her name, repeat it aloud as a way of helping you remember it better.
I Called Someone the Wrong Name—the Really Wrong Name
What may be worse than not remembering someone’s name is calling the person by the wrong name. For instance, you’re speaking to a friend’s new husband and you call him by the old husband’s name. Or you refer to your new boss by the ousted boss’s name. Try to acknowledge your mistake with a little humor. Perhaps say, “Oh, I really know you’re Mike and not Tom.” Apologize for your slipup and let it drop. If your mistake obviously insulted a person of authority, such as your boss, who wasn’t impressed with how you recovered from the error, you might want to send a quick note later, again apologizing for the lapse.
I Really Put My Foot in My Mouth
You wrote a nasty e-mail message about someone—and now you realize you accidentally sent it to him. Or you just mocked an acquaintance who, you discover too late, is standing nearby. Since the floor isn’t going to open up and swallow you whole, much as you wish it would, you’re going to have to deal with this. You must offer an apology, and it must be a good one. Don’t say, “I didn’t really mean it.” You probably did mean it, and denying it will just compound the error. In other words, don’t apologize for what you think, feel, or said about the person. Instead, apologize for the effects of what you said.
My Buddy Has Bad Breath
How do you tell your friend he or she has breath that would slay the devil? Here’s an easy, roundabout way: Pop a mint or piece of gum into your own mouth and then offer one to your friend. This way, you won’t be saying anything outright, and if he or she accepts your offer, everyone wins. If not? Well, it depends on how strong your friendship is. You either risk offending your friend with the truth or ignore the problem and excuse yourself to get a breath of fresh air.
