Packaging

For my honest and sometimes too honest but still beloved sister,

Almost everything in life is mostly about packaging. It is our nature to be fond of beautiful and nice things.

External packaging - Grooming

Def: Doing everything possible to make yourself look presentable.

Yes, you may wear that acid green "SUE ME" shirt if that's the fashion statement you are dying to make.

No, absolutely not if you are interviewing with a conservative accounting company.

No, for heaven's sake, if it has been lying in your laundry basket for two weeks, next to the stinky socks that witnessed your last volleyball victory.

As the saying goes, there is no ugly woman, but lazy women aplenty.

Technology and resolution is all you need, to find the dazzling star within you.

Internal packaging - effective communication based on understanding.

Scenario 1: Your boss made an incredibly stupid decision. Unfortunately, he is adamant in that he made the wisest decision. And he is an arrogant stuck-up who doesn't take advice easily.

Move 1: You say: "Boss ah, that was one bad move, you idiot. Our company will definitely go bankrupt if that proposal was put into action. Wise up. Do -my-absolutely-wonderful-and-fool-proof-idea-blah-blah."

Move 2: You say: "That is an interesting idea boss. Have you thought about -horrible-consequence-1- that could happen? Maybe -sector-related-to-my-fool-proof-idea- will be a something that you can consider doing. I am concerned that if we failed to execute your proposal fully, horrible-consequence-2 might happen. How about we try fool-proof-idea along with -least-stupid-part-of-boss's-proposal?"

Behold, the art of packaging - putting yourself in the shoes of your opponent and find the best way to present your viewpoint. .

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Senario 2: Your beloved reserved a super pricey restaurant for a romantic night out. Alas, the food was not to your liking. Anxiously, your beloved wanted to know what you think about the night.

Move 1: You say: That was horrible. The steak was as hard as stone and the wine tasted like water. We should have stayed home. Maggie would be a lot tastier and cheaper.

Move 2: You say: That was a lovely thought of you to find such a romantic place. I loved the music and the dessert. But I do think that the beef we ate would make an incredible addition to your stone collection. It has the same texture and such a unique smell too. Let me cook you some Maggie for supper. Shall I add an egg to your soup? *wink*

What move do you take?

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Scenario 3: You are having dinner with your relatives. They are old, slow in hearing and obnoxiously curious about you. They are repetitiously hounding you about your relationship status.

Move 1: You say: You guys are so fan (annoying)! Stop asking me these questions, I don't know the answer! No, I will never get married. And I will never bring my boyfriend home. You guys will scare the crap out of him for sure. *slams door in frustration*

Move 2: Hmm, why are you so curious about my relationship? I am sure it is not as interesting as recent-scandal-with-annoying-auntie's-daughter/son. How is (s)he doing now? *inquisitive yet polite stare and smile* Have I told you about my last trip to Paris? I met my blah-blah-blah and blah blah.

There you go, the weapon of packaging.

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"You are so fake!"

No, it is not fake if you genuinely tried to make the situation less awkward for everyone's sake, and earnestly made an effort to see things from the other end.

It is not fake if you really cared about people's feelings.

We are all part of this huge circle of life. Awkward questions, negative feelings are inevitable. But if you stop acting like the center of the universe, instead, imagine yourself as a bright star, a tiny but lovely part of this boundless galaxy, you will realize, relationships are not that complicated after all.

Isn't it a lot more beautiful than a single scorching sun?