Artful Dodging: Painless Techniques for Avoiding Anyone, Anytime

by Jeanne Martinet

Whether you're dodging an overbearing boss, the chatty guy next to you on an overcrowded flight, your least favorite client, your least favorite parent, or anyone else, this lighthearted, indispensable guide will show you how to make a seamless, effective escape.

The perfect guide for our over-committed, hectic times, Artful Dodging puts an end to all those feeble excuses no one ever believes. It banishes, once and for all, the notion of an invitation you can't refuse. In an almost Kryptonite-like fashion, it helps to break the vice of social obligation that has so many of us in its grip. Yes, it's true: Artful Dodging can set you free.

Topics include: the pros and cons of using a Classic Excuse * mastering the Duck and Cover * using voice mail, Call Waiting, and other telephone techniques * emergency escape tactics * flattery, melodrama, and other dodging diversions * vanishing into thin air * and much more.

For everyone who's mastered the art of making friends and now needs to improve at shaking them, Artful Dodging comes to the rescue, with humor, smarts, and a great exit line.

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2000

About the author

Jeanne Martinet is the author of nine books, including the just-out MINGLING WITH THE ENEMY as well as THE ART OF MINGLING, which has sold more than 150,000 copies and been published in ten countries. She has been featured in such publications as: The New York Times, The New York Daily News, Newsweek, The U.S. News and World Report, Salon.com, The Chicago Tribune, The Boston Globe, TimeOut New York, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle and The Huffington Post. Martinet has shared her humor and mingling know-how on hundreds of TV and radio shows, including NBC's "The Today Show," and NPR's "Morning Edition."

Jeanne Martinet, AKA "Miss Mingle," lives, writes and mingles in New York City.

Reviews

[Петър Стойков · Rating 3 out of 5]

Дали става дума за досадник, който постоянно те кани на кафе и не млъква да се оплаква за проблемите си, за роднина, който се сеща да ти се обади само като му трябват 20 лв. или приятел, на чиято сватба в Аруба не искаш да отидеш, защото с парите предпочиташ да си купиш кола...

Има хора, които не могат да отказват различни услуги или покани - дали защото са прекалено срамежливи за да отказват, или защото живеят сложен социален живот, в който такива откази обиждат останалите.

Разбира се, аз не съм имал никога този проблем по няколко причини - социалният ми живот не е сложен и приятелите ми не се сърдят на откази, а може да се каже, че аз също съм прост, така че не ми пука дали някой досадник ще се обиди. За останалите хора тази книга с примери и съвети как да лъжем учтиво, може да е полезна.

[Kit Fox · Rating 1 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the library because I hoped it would be amusing. It turned out to be... well, the introduction basically started with "Once upon a time I told someone "no" when they were presumptuous and demanding at me. They reacted obnoxiously, so I resolved never to hurt anyone again by being honest with them. Here's some tips so you can do the same!"

This is not my sort of approach to life.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing collection of anecdotes about (and suggestions on how to avoid) awkward social situations.

[Lonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good quick read, entertaining and somewhat informative.