Asking for What We Want

As a third culture kid – I was thrilled when I found out there is a name for people who answer ‘where are you from’ with ‘nowhere’ – I have quite a bit of American in me.

Sometimes I use it. In my mind, Americans ask for what they want, usually very politely. When was the last time you heard someone in the UK call an older gentleman ‘Sir’, other than the maître d’? English people (I’m not sure whether it is just English or all British) tend to complain to others about what they have not got.

I went yesterday to pick up an engraving I had ordered weeks ago. I had already paid for the item but when I went to pick it up, the engraver had moved things around to fit them into the size of the plaque.

It did not make any sense to me and I was unhappy – but because I had already paid, I took the plaque from him rather reluctantly and left.

After about 15 seconds, I turned back around, went back in and said: “I’m really not very happy with this. The words don’t make sense.”

He said simply asked if I would like it done again. I said: “Yes please. If it won’t fit as written, just leave ‘David Luiz’ off it.”

“Fine. Get this done this afternoon.”

Actually, it was so easy. He was fine with my challenge because he knew what he done was not really right but he was hoping that I would accept it. As in the Chris Young podcast I have written about before, he was ‘sending it’ and hoping for the best.

It did feel very good to ask for what I wanted. Even if he had refused to do anything about it, I know that I felt so much better. Ask for what you want. Even if you are English.

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