Why do people consider “no” a bad word? It seems that “no” is just not acceptable. Have you ever noticed that when someone asks you to do them a favor and you say “no”, they get offended? Many times, I feel as if I must find an excuse as to why I cannot do something just to avoid offending someone. Why should I feel like this? No is no. No, I can’t watch your kids. No, I can’t loan you money. No, I can’t work your shift. Why can’t I say this?  It was fine when I said “yes” a million times but the first time I say “no”, it’s a tragedy and I’m considered a bitch.
You can do someone a million favors but the first time you can’t accommodate them, you’re the worst person in the world. Why is this? I can honestly say that I am not offended by the word “no”. When I’m told “no”, I take the time to remember all of the favors the person has done for me in the past.  Hey, maybe they can’t do a favor this time but I appreciate all the things they have done for me. It upsets me that you can do everything in the world for a person and it goes totally unappreciated most times. What ever happened to good ol’ gratitude? No one owes you anything in life.  People are good and kind because they choose to be, not because they have to be. How can I say, “NO?!”
Author: Rhonda Gutierrez
I like the point you made about gratitude, it seems like its almost lost in our society. People have become accustomed to, or maybe even spoiled, in getting what they want when they want it, like interacting with other people is supposed to be like going to Burger King. Like you said, it’s a choice to be kind, just like it’s a choice to be greedy.
Great article. I know just how you feel. Being a usual “yes” person myself, most people are shocked when I say the word “no”. And I can’t stand when people say ” but I did this, this, and this for you so you should do that for me” It doesn’t work that way, not in my book. Again, great article!
Human relations are fascinating, aren’t they? Currently being on the side that gets a ‘No’ 98% of the time, it is always interesting to hear people you have helped in the past a thousand times and the time comes when you ask them for a very small favor they are a completely different person.
“No” is my favorite word right now, because “No” also means “not yet”, so it is really not a bad word. It just makes you better! Getting a “Yes” all the time would make things too easy and you would appreciate them less.