Chapter 25 Technique 22 Promoting the Good and Concealing the Evil

Many people think that if you know someone, you will like and should share some little secrets with him, talk about your private affairs, or confess your past flaws. , thumb-sucking, or some minor health problems now, gout, small sarcoma-should be able to narrow the distance between you and others. That depends.Sometimes it does.One study showed that if someone is in a higher status than you, revealing a little vulnerability can make you feel closer to him or her.US presidential candidate Stevenson has a hole in the bottom of his trousers, but he is popular all over the country.President Bush's admission that he's afraid to eat cauliflower has the nation talking about it.

If you're in a strong position, say, a superstar who wants to make friends with fans, you might as well talk about being so poor that you didn't have enough to eat.If you're not a superstar, it's best to play it safe and take your time to show your flaws.People who don't know you well enough may form the wrong impression of you.Your new friend has no time to understand that you are generously sharing your thoughts out of kindness. In this part, you have learned how to meet and talk to people.The next step is to teach you very useful defensive tricks, and you will never smile awkwardly because you can't understand what others are saying.

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When you meet someone for the first time, lock up your secret cabinet for a while, and let your flaws come later.You and your new friend can wait until you have a deeper relationship, and then bring out your scandal together and have a good laugh.However, at this moment, it is necessary to promote the good and hide the evil.