In-negative / Explaining url
Coming late for an appointment
- I just plum forgot.
- It slipped my mind.
- Forgive me, I just didn’t remember.
- I didn’t do it on purpose.
- I hope you understand.
- Please don’t take it personally.
- I knew I forgot something.
- I’ve been burning the candle at both ends.
- I’ve been crazy busy lately.
- I have a lot on my plate.
- The time just slipped through my fingers.
- I just have no sense of time.
Coming late for an appointment
Out-neutral / Advice url
Action-3
- You best be on your way.
- Play it till the hilt.
- Your choice is clear.
- You can sink or swim.
- Don’t hold yourself back.
- You’ve got nothing to lose.
- Why don’t you give it a try?
- The early bird catches the worm.
- Try and patch things up.
- Set your sights high.
- Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
Action-3
Out-positive / Encouragement url
To a friend who is working very hard at a new job
- You’ll get your reward in the long run.
- Of course it’s above and beyond the call of duty.
- It’s very sorely needed, and I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.
- It’s for a worthy cause.
- When you look back on it, you’ll see that it was all worth it.
- It’s not as if you have much of a say in the matter.
- That’s a good choice.
- That’s a wise decision.
- How’s it coming?
- You’re a good man.
- Do whatever you feel you have to do, whatever you feel is necessary in the situation.
To a friend who is working very hard at a new job
Out-positive / Friendship url
Hot talk
- You’re hot stuff.
- You’re cute as a button.
- You’re a real knock-out.
- Your eyes are as blue as the sky.
- I could hug you to death.
- You’re a sweetie pie.
- I’m going to sweep you off your feet.
Hot talk
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-1
- Somehow you’re making me feel guilty about what we both know took place out of the blue.
- Come on, out with it, spill the beans, and fess-up, because to tell you the truth I expected it all along.
- Please, hear me out!
- You couldn’t possibly object.
- Give me a fighting chance.
- You owe me that much.
- You just don’t want to admit it.
- Come on, be real!
- Please do your utmost to pay attention, and keep your mind on the subject.
- Let me be the judge of that.
- Be straight with me.
- Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-1
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
We don’t agree
- Let’s call the whole thing off.
- We don’t see things eye to eye.
- Let’s just drop the whole thing.
- This is not going anywhere.
- It takes two to tangle.
- We don’t seem to be getting anywhere.
- My patience has worn thin.
- Just you wait and see.
- We’re just wasting our time.
- This is an exercise in futility.
- I’m not going to waste any more time talking to you about this.
- We come from two completely different worlds.
- I’ll pass on the offer, and take a rain check.
- I’m not sure if we’re seeing eye to eye about this.
- We’re talking at cross purposes.
- This is highway robbery!
We don’t agree
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Losing a bet at the casino
- Them’s the breaks.
- I’ll make the best of it.
- Eventually I’m going to have to face the music.
- I’ve learned my lesson.
- That just goes to show you.
- I should have seen that coming a mile away.
Losing a bet at the casino
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who was just promoted to be head of sales
- I always knew you had it in you.
- You’ll go right to the top.
- If you play your cards right, nothing will stand in your way, and you will be very successful.
- This is a big moment for you.
- That’s a lucky break for you.
- Here’s your big chance.
- They must think a lot of you.
- You’re going to do a bang-up job.
- More power to you.
- Hit the ground running.
- Give it your all.
For a friend who was just promoted to be head of sales
In-neutral / Caution url
A publisher given a story that might be libelous
- I just can’t chance it.
- I’m going to treat it with kid gloves.
- It could blow sky high.
- Let’s not rush into things.
- I may be sitting on a time bomb.
- One option is for is for me to just wait it out.
- I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- It’s best if I wait until the whole thing blows over.
- I just don’t feel like bucking the system.
- I’m inclined to just tiptoe around the whole situation.
- I think if I got involved in any way I would be playing with fire.
- My gut feeling is that I should just leave it well enough alone.
- The fact that no one else wants to do it is not a good sign.
- I don't know the person involved from a hole in the wall, and I think I should regard that as a warning signal.
A publisher given a story that might be libelous
Out-neutral / Advice url
Look inside yourself
- You’re green with envy.
- Try to remember the best you can.
- Take a good look at yourself.
- Don’t hold back what’s on your mind, spit it out, and let me know what you’re thinking.
- Your pride got in your way.
- Let your inner voice be your guide.
- Why would you want to do something like that?
Look inside yourself
Out-positive / Friendship url
Offering help-2
- Perhaps I can be of assistance.
- I wish I could do something for you.
- I’ve gone to bat for you.
- Take what you want to your heart’s desire.
- I wish you all the luck in the world.
- I’m doing what’s best for you.
- I thought you’d never ask.
- Don’t ever say I never did anything for you.
- I'm so glad you came over.
- Be sure to let me know if I can help.
- For you, I would do anything.
- I wish you the best of luck.
- I’d be more than happy to help.
Offering help-2
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
You’re not negotiating well-1
- You’re as stubborn as a mule.
- What I’m saying is going in one ear and out the other.
- How does that help anything?
- Don’t put words in my mouth.
- What more do you want?
- Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
- You have no excuse for acting that way.
- Are you backing out?
- Surely you must be kidding.
- I’ve got you pegged.
- Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?
You’re not negotiating well-1