The Multiple Meanings of “No!”

As a little boy, I’d reach for something my parents did not want me to have. Maybe it was another piece of candy. Might be me trying to get my little finger into that electrical outlet. I’d hear a powerful, “No!” It would stop me. When I was really little, I might only pause and wait until they stopped watching me. Then I’d go for it again. More emphatically they would say, “No! No means no! No!”

‘No’ means ‘No!’ …Or does it?

Little Phillip would try to build something. Dad would supervise and coach. When I would attempt to put a part in the wrong spot, in a drawn out, almost questioning tone, my dad would softly say, “No.” He used the word, ‘No’ to direct me to the right answer. That ‘No’ was the ‘No’ of redirection used for correction.

With over-the-top enthusiasm, you tell a friend, “I just won the lotto mega-millions grand prize!” Your friend gasps, “No!” That’s the ‘No’ of astonishment—the ‘No’ of disbelief.

You just spent hours on a report on your computer. Just as you were about to save and back up your file, your computer crashes. “No!” is what you yell. It’s the ‘No’ of denial.

The airport monitor is just up ahead through the throngs of people. You finally work your way to the monitor and see your flight is delayed. “No!” you say. It’s the ‘No’ of disappointment.

You smile as you ask a prospective customer if they are interested in what you are offering. Without smiling back, they shake their head as they say, “No.” That’s the ‘No’ of rejection.

There’s the ‘No’ of appeasement, the ‘No’ of uncertainty, the ‘No’ of finality, the ‘No’ of sorrow and the ‘No’ of joy. ‘No’ can be interpreted hundreds of ways. It can be misinterpreted too! Be careful!

‘No’ can mean so many things. When you hear the word, ‘No’ it helps to know which ‘No’ you just got. Pay attention to vocal inflections. Watch facial expressions. Read body language. But, when you are still not sure what they mean by their ‘No,’ there is a time-proven method that will get you the certainty you seek. Ask them a very simple question.

Don’t be tempted to say more than just one specific word. One word only—no more, no less—just ask, “No?” and listen! They will explain, and you will know which ‘No’ you are dealing with!Suscipit placerat integer iaculis per, lacinia molestie dapibus? Adipiscing platea massa velit consequat phasellus vitae tristique montes.