Page 26 - MASALA LITE ISSUE 86 | NOVEMBER2017

ETIQUETTE

MRS
CHAUHAN

OFFICE THIEF

Dear Mrs Chauhan,
I work a corporate marketing job, and this may sound bizarre, but someone is
stealing my possessions. Every time there is a USB, water bottle or hair clip on
my table, the next day it disappears. It is really
my table, the next day it disappears. It is really
starting to bug me because I can’t keep track
starting to bug me because I can’t keep track
of my belongings. This
also hinders my work
schedule, as I spend
more time looking for
my stuff than actually
completing my work.

Dear Offi ce Thief,
It’s time you take action for your belongings. There must be a cupboard you can
use to keep all your valuable items. Make sure you place all your possessions
before leaving for home, or take them with you. Stop complaining and be more
responsible. Minor problems shouldn’t be hindering your work performance!

SIBLING BULLY

Dear Mrs Chauhan,
My cousin sister constantly bullies me! She always criticises me in front of my
entire family. She likes to bring up my past work and relationship failures, and it
really upsets me. Last week, she told everyone that “my hips are getting bigger
and that is probably why my boyfriend broke up with me.” How could someone
say something so insensitive? What is wrong with her?

Dear Sibling Bully,
Bullies are everywhere. One
of the most insidious and
destructive forms of bullying
is family bullying because it is
often done in the name of love.
You have to plan your responses
ahead of time. If you know what
kinds of comments push your
buttons, prepare responses ahead
of time that allow you to hold
on to your self-esteem. You also
have to stand up to the bully
without hostility. One tactic that
often works is to take a strong
stance, look the person right
in the eye, pause for a moment
and then say, “excuse me?” With this phrase, you’re letting the person know
that you’re aware they’re putting you down and you’re not going to take it.
Lastly, remove yourself from the situation. If you fi nd yourself getting sucked
into what the person says, take a break and go somewhere private. Remind
yourself that you don’t have to get caught up in the drama.

UNPLANNED SURPRISE
Dear Mrs Chauhan,
I don’t know how to tell my husband I
am pregnant. We recently talked about
starting a family, but we wanted to
wait a few years until we were more
ready. I’m worried that he won’t be
happy with this news and that would
just break my heart.
Dear Unplanned Surprise,
You are not alone in the way you feel.
A lot of women who have unexpected
pregnancies are also unsure of how
to tell their partners. Take a deep
breath, get together in a casual and
safe setting, and tell him in a calm and
collected manner. Wait for him to react fi rst and then let him know exactly
how you feel about the whole situation. If he reacts harshly, remind him that it
wasn’t expected for you as well, but you both are in this together.

Have an etiquette question? Send your dilemmas to
info@masalathai.com. Write “Mrs Chauhan” in the subject line.
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