23. Dont Hesitate to Say No

　　As a general rule, people like to help others, but there are occasions when you should say no to requests for favors. For instance, it is better to refuse when a child pesters you for sweet food and drinks or for too many toys. Another example is when a relative asks you to use your influence to get him or her a bank loan or a work promotion.

　　However, we cannot ignore the fact that many people are reluctant to say no. They feel that if they turn down a request from a relative or friend, they will cause ill-feeling within the family or become unpopular with their acquaintances. A notable case in point is when the boss asks them to do something which they feel is unreasonable.

　　It is important to keep in mind that not saying no when you should say no can sometimes have harmful consequences. If children are given everything they ask for, not only may their health be damaged, but they may grow up selfish and spoilt. Again, in the long run it is kinder to refuse to lend money to a person who has a gambling or alcoholism problem.