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I wanted fries with that : how to ask for what you want and get what you need
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2019
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Summary
SPEAK UP AND PERSUADE

At some point in our lives, we've all experienced an injustice, large or small -- a restaurant botching our lunch order or a boss who isn't following the guidelines for workplace etiquette -- and suffered in silence for fear of offending anyone. When we fail to speak up, however, we shortchange ourselves. Amy Fish encourages standing up for yourself (and others) by complainingeffectively. Her suggestions will appeal to anyone who wants to speak up and isn't sure where to start, including managers navigating workplace disputes, couples who argue about the same things over and over, and even someone with a friend with bad breath. Illustrating her points with funny real-life stories, Fish reveals pragmatic methods to redress grievances with civility, honesty, and fairness for everyone involved -- whether you're trying to right the wrongs of the world or justclaim the french fries you ordered.

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Booklist Review
Fish's how-to guide for effective complaining is effervescent with a breezy sense of humor. Inspired by a childhood incident when a friend was too anxious to double-check on a restaurant order (the title story), Fish learned to speak up for herself; given that she's Canadian, this brand of self-assertion is dished out with a calm, gentle confidence. She has gathered several humorous anecdotes from her tenure as the ombudsman ( Chief Complaint Officer ) for Concordia University and divided them into three themes: I Want My Problem Solved ; I Want You to Change ; and I Want Justice to be Served."" The book can be read from cover to cover, or the reader can flip through to find particularized advice. The examples ring true: everyone can relate to demanding a refund after an item is ruined at the dry cleaner, requesting a repair or return even if the receipt is long gone, or managing a co-worker's aversion to cleaning the office kitchen. These situations seem awkward, but Fish provides a blueprint to getting what you need with the right words and a delicate touch.--Sarah Steers Copyright 2010 Booklist
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Table of Contents
Preface: I Wanted Fries with Thatp. xv
About the Book: The Hole in the Storyp. xix
Part II Want My Problem Solved
1How to Get Greener Lettuce: Involve the Artistp. 5
2How to Register for a Sold-Out Event: Admit When You're Wrongp. 13
3How to Get the Insurance Adjuster to Show Up: Put Yourself in Their Shoesp. 20
4How to Get the Person in Front of You to Move Their Seat Up: Go Step-by-Stepp. 26
5How to Get Your Appliance Repaired: Be Clear and Concisep. 33
6How to Get Clingy Children to Back Off: Use the Resolution Continuump. 39
7How to Exchange a Onesie (When You'd Rather Get Your Money Back): Be Prepared to Compromisep. 44
8How to Report a Rhyming Physician or Other Health-Care Professional: Consider Your Timingp. 52
9How to Get a Ski Jacket Repaired without a Receipt, and Also Return a Coffeemaker: Two Stories with the Same Endingp. 57
10How to Find a Unicorn Frappuccino: Listen for Cluesp. 70
11How to Get Your Log-In ID and Password to Function Correctly: Stay on Itp. 79
12How to Get Your Money Back When Your Favorite Dress Is Ruined: Some Questions Remain Unansweredp. 86
13How to Get Your Teacher to Raise Your Grade: Show the Evidencep. 93
14How to Stay Alive While Your Complaint Is Being Investigated: Remain Calmp. 99
Part III Want You to Change
15How to Get Your Guests to Arrive on Time for Dinner: Learn the Serenity Prayerp. 113
16How to Ask Your Husband to Put Down His Cellphone During Dinner: Set the Bar Lowp. 119
17How to Get Your Boss to Stop Changing Her Mind: Report Her to the Fashion Policep. 125
18How to Ask Someone to Freshen Their Breath: Be Directp. 132
19How to Get Someone to Shower More Frequently Because They Stink: Be Compassionatep. 141
20How to Get Your Volunteers to Dress More Appropriately: Reframe the Situationp. 146
Part IIII Want Justice to Be Served
21How to Get Bacon Out of the Synagogue Refrigerator: Collect Datap. 161
22How to Prevent Grandma from Falling on a Pile of Broken Pipes: File an Official Complaintp. 170
23How to Get on the Kiddie Coaster with Your Three-Year-Old If You Are Wet and Black: Ask for the Managerp. 181
24How to Get Your Coworkers to Clean the Kitchen: Be More Threateningp. 188
25How to Call Out Another Mom for Suboptimal Cupcake Behavior: Speak Up Even If It Hurtsp. 194
26How to Accidentally Get Your Waiter Fired: Rise Above the Fearp. 201
27How to Get the Break You Deserve at Work: Know Your Rightsp. 209
Conclusionp. 215
Acknowledgmentsp. 221
Endnotesp. 225
About the Authorp. 227
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