Sunday, June 22, 2008
Saying "Yes" at the Royal Highland Show
Danny Wallace was on the Jonathan Ross show on Friday plugging his new book and the "Yes Man" movie with Jim Carey. It got me thinking that I should try his "Say Yes" philosophy from "Yes Man" again after having a trial run after I read the book.
So next day, I went with my lovely Wife to the Royal Highland Show near Edinburgh.
First thing as we walk in, she says "Do you want to go see what's in those shops"
I think 'Not likely'
Then I remember that I'm going to say yes more and decide to say yes all day to everything.
So, things I did that my first instinct was to say no to were:
* Went rounds loads of interesting craft shops/stalls (honest!)
* Spent ages watching equally bored horses in a blacksmith competition
* Ate a tonne and a half of free samples in the massive food hall
"Would you like to try our cheese/curry sauce/olive oil/pizza/whisky/liquer/bread sir?"
"Yes" *burp*
* Tried to volunteer to take part in the "Quack Commandos" display - couldn't get past people to get into the showground though but usually I wouldn't even think about it.
* Spent ages waiting in a queue to go on a cool Royal Marines speedboat simulator
* Spoke to a guy and his dog about "Hearing Dogs for the Deaf" and gave them my address for sending more details about their charity.
* Spent over £7 on a pick and mix as my Wife kept on asking
"Do you want some of these?" - yes
"Shall we try some of these?" - yes
"What about that one?" -yes
"I don't want anymore, do you?" - yes
"Surely you don't want anymore?" -yes
"Will you manage to eat all these Sweets?" -yes
"You don't normally have a sweet tooth, are you feeling ok?"- yes
"Do you not think we have enough now?" - YES!
* Ate a newly smoked Arbroath Smokie and it was tremendous!
Wife - "Ugh, Fish. I bet you're going to go an buy one now eh?"
The only thing I said no to all day was when a woman in the Volvo stand asked if I wanted a brochure - it was totally instinctive but I felt a bit bad.
I was sort of worried that I would end up buying a tractor, a cow or a shotgun (or all three!) but luckily that never happened. My wee experiment made a good day out even better and showed me how much I say "no" to things - I had to conciously fight my natural instincts.
Also, I noticed how many rhetorical questions my Wife asks me -
"You don't want to go over there again do you?" - yes
"But we've just been there! Do you really want to go there??" - yes
Other news since my last post, Gran is back to peak fitness, Rats have been verminated and I've been to the Dominican Republic and back - first time I've been in a true third world country (parts of Fife excepted) and a bit strange. ¶ 8:21 PM
So next day, I went with my lovely Wife to the Royal Highland Show near Edinburgh.
First thing as we walk in, she says "Do you want to go see what's in those shops"
I think 'Not likely'
Then I remember that I'm going to say yes more and decide to say yes all day to everything.
So, things I did that my first instinct was to say no to were:
* Went rounds loads of interesting craft shops/stalls (honest!)
* Spent ages watching equally bored horses in a blacksmith competition
* Ate a tonne and a half of free samples in the massive food hall
"Would you like to try our cheese/curry sauce/olive oil/pizza/whisky/liquer/bread sir?"
"Yes" *burp*
* Tried to volunteer to take part in the "Quack Commandos" display - couldn't get past people to get into the showground though but usually I wouldn't even think about it.
* Spent ages waiting in a queue to go on a cool Royal Marines speedboat simulator
* Spoke to a guy and his dog about "Hearing Dogs for the Deaf" and gave them my address for sending more details about their charity.
* Spent over £7 on a pick and mix as my Wife kept on asking
"Do you want some of these?" - yes
"Shall we try some of these?" - yes
"What about that one?" -yes
"I don't want anymore, do you?" - yes
"Surely you don't want anymore?" -yes
"Will you manage to eat all these Sweets?" -yes
"You don't normally have a sweet tooth, are you feeling ok?"- yes
"Do you not think we have enough now?" - YES!
* Ate a newly smoked Arbroath Smokie and it was tremendous!
Wife - "Ugh, Fish. I bet you're going to go an buy one now eh?"
The only thing I said no to all day was when a woman in the Volvo stand asked if I wanted a brochure - it was totally instinctive but I felt a bit bad.
I was sort of worried that I would end up buying a tractor, a cow or a shotgun (or all three!) but luckily that never happened. My wee experiment made a good day out even better and showed me how much I say "no" to things - I had to conciously fight my natural instincts.
Also, I noticed how many rhetorical questions my Wife asks me -
"You don't want to go over there again do you?" - yes
"But we've just been there! Do you really want to go there??" - yes
Other news since my last post, Gran is back to peak fitness, Rats have been verminated and I've been to the Dominican Republic and back - first time I've been in a true third world country (parts of Fife excepted) and a bit strange. ¶ 8:21 PM
