How To Say “No” And Keep Your Friends
GLAMOUR South Africa|March 2018

Bankrupt and exhausted from every dinner, drink and wedding? Let writer Jo Hoare help you.

Jo Hoare
How To Say “No” And Keep Your Friends

Last year, I did a most socially unacceptable thing: I refused to attend a good friend’s wedding. But hear me out. When an invitation to an exotic island landed on my doormat, I couldn’t afford it. And, after coming out of a five-year relationship, I just didn’t want to face it. I felt sick at the thought of telling her, but I explained my reasons, and asked her to join me for a special dinner instead, and she was totally fine.

According to life coach Jo O’Connor, my approach was right. “We remember the end of conversations more than the start, so ending on a positive, like a thoughtful gesture, softens the blow and ensures that the lasting impression isn’t negative.”

This story is from the March 2018 edition of GLAMOUR South Africa.

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This story is from the March 2018 edition of GLAMOUR South Africa.

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