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[minoanmiss]

http://www.askamanager.org/2017/10/can-i-ask-my-boss-to-deny-my-vacation-request-so-i-dont-have-to-go-home-for-christmas.html

The answer and discussion on this one really touched me, not least since absolutely no one said "Just do what your parents want, they're faaaaaaaamly." It wasn't perfect -- the divide between "It's easy, just tell them no" and "I was an abused child too, I know it's not easy" was darkly humorous -- but it was awesome.

Comments

[amaebi]

I didn't read down the discussion. But, yeah, that's traumatic. I thought of "That is not possible," and then the situation of one who said that, with family who will go on and on and on and on about/around it indefinitely.

[ororo]

A friend of mine used to say, “I’m sorry, it’s impossible.” It takes a while to internalize that people don’t need any explanation.

[johnpalmer]

Heh. That's like the people who will never say "no" for fear of making you an enemy, but will say something like "Ah, that would be very, very difficult." That sort of phrase works very well for people who aren't too terrible persistent.

[vettecat]

In most cases it's best to be vague because then you don't have to remember what exact details you used if it comes up again later.