Office of International Student Services : How to Just Say "No"

DO NOT FEEL BAD ABOUT SAYING NO!

TELEMARKETING

You may get phone calls from people wanting to sell you things or wanting you to give money to a charity:

Telephone companies might try selling you cheap long distance calls.

Marketing companies or telephone surveys might ask questions for statistics, or try to sell products.

Credit card companies may try to give you credit cards.

Telemarketers may call to sell products such as vitamins or exercise equipment, and offer to enter you in a competition for free prizes if you buy today! (Sometimes they might send you something in the mail saying you’ve won a prize. This is just a trick to get you to buy something.)

The people who call may ask you for personal information without telling you why they are asking. They might also keep talking without giving you the chance to talk and explain things that you don’t understand. They will also do their best to keep you on the phone as long a possible. This is their job.

What you can do is say, "No thank you!" and hang-up the telephone. Don’t stay on the phone any longer once you have said it. If someone knocks on your door, first look through the peep hole and if you don’t recognize them, don’t open the door. Just say, "No thanks!" or pretend you are not home. Don't worry, they are used to it.

People you have met may try to get you to visit or join their church. They may invite you to one of their organization’s events or give you books and magazines about their religion. What you can do if you don’t wish to attend their meetings or church services is simply say “No thank you.” It’s not rude and they shouldn’t get angry. Even if the person has been a good friend or helped you in some way, you have the right to not attend a church service or meeting if you don’t want to.

When you first start interacting with Americans, it might seem a little awkward in the way they joke around and socialize. Someone you meet may find an interest in you, or you might find an interest in them. If you are interested, how do you make the first move, and if you’re not interested, how do you tell that person?

Tell them that you find them interesting and ask them if they would like to have dinner or a coffee sometime. It is all right to be direct in these cases. Don't worry, even most Americans find this difficult.

When they ask to see you sometime, simply tell them "Probably not, but thank you."

If you want to break things off or if you are not interested in having sex with someone who is pressuring you: Tell them directly what you want. Don't be afraid to state your mind or else they may assume you are still interested.