How to Act in a Sticky Situation
Aimee Symington was on Charlotte Today last week answering some questions about what to do in a sticky situation. Click here to view the TV segment or read her answers below.
Situation: What do you do when a friend takes an embarrassing picture of you and posts it on Facebook?
Solution: First, if you know someone has taken a picture of you that is not flattering, embarrassing or would not be appreciated by someone else, tell them that you really hope they will not post it anywhere! If something does appear that you don’t like, quickly ask the person to take it down. Hopefully they will and it will have not done too much damage. Remember also that if you don’t want others posting bad pictures of you, you have the responsibility of returning the favor and setting an example.
Situation: You accidentally send an email to a person you’re talking about.
Solution: In this sticky situation, you can’t take the email back or deny you sent it so you need to immediately call or email an apology to the person saying you were stupid and are so sorry! I might mention that you should never write anything that you wouldn’t want posted on the front page of the newspaper. If it’s not you mistakenly sending the email to the wrong person, it could still be forwarded to them by someone else.
Situation: A stranger walks by with his zipper down or arugula in his teeth.
Solution: “If you’re in a large group or the person is the CEO of the company, you don’t have to say anything. However, if the faux pas is truly mortifying and no one is acting to correct it, look for a moment when the person is alone and quietly mention the problem.
Situation: You run into someone whose last few phone calls you never returned.
Solution: Say something positive like “I’m so glad I ran into you. I’ve been meaning to call you!” Ask if the person has time to talk then, but if not, make a specific time that you will call them.
Situation: You see someone you think you recognize but aren’t sure if he recognizes you, so you don’t know whether to say hello.
Solution: “If you pass someone on the street, you can let it go without saying anything, but if your seated next to them or at a party with them, you should say something. It’s best to start with your name and then say something like “hi, I’m Aimee Symington. You look so familiar. I live in Davidson. Have we met before? If they say no then don’t play a 1,000 questions and interrogate them about where they went to school. Where they live, etc.,”.
Situation: The most boring person at a party has you cornered―and they won’t stop talking.
Solution: This is a sticky situation that I know we have all encountered at one point or another. Try bringing in a third person to liven up the conversation and then give you an opportunity to leave. Or just make polite conversation for a few minutes then say something like “ “It was so nice catching up with you or It was so nice to meet you” then say good-bye. In a business situation, extend your hand. “Shaking hands is a huge cue that you are about to move on,”
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