71 – Nice

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A visitor/repairman came to fix my (elaborate!) Television.
Because of missing parts and trouble with customs he ended up staying 3 days.

I explained my coffee machine. Press this button for Expresso, this one for Regular coffee, this one for Latte and so on. Of course I also showed him where the soft drinks were.
He said, “If you’re having some then I will too. I don’t want to be a bother.”

In the morning my wife asks him if he wants breakfast.
He said, “If you’re having some then I will too. I don’t want to be a bother.”

At lunch time the same thing happens.
He said, “If you’re having some then I will too. I don’t want to be a bother.”

He’s having trouble with his Mobile phone so we offer our low cost “Long Distance” line.
“Well, that’s Ok” he said, “I don’t want to be a bother.”

While waiting for a part to arrive he looks over my other electronic equipment and tunes some and cleans some.
That evening I invite him to join us at a local restaurant and does he like Steak?
His reply really says something like:
He said, “OK, if you are going there. I don’t want to be a bother.”

But he ordered Fish.

On the third day when he left we both breathed a sigh of relief. 
And yet he did not want to be a bother!

Review what you call being nice and simply say in a clear and pleasant tone what you prefer when asked.  Being too nice does NOT please the person who genuinely wants to please you.
Don’t be a taker. 
Give the other person the satisfaction that comes from them giving to you.

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