Moves in Refusal: How Malaysians Say 'No' (Report‪)‬

Introduction "If you don't know how to say 'No', you are only courting trouble" is a line we hear so often in today's society. Considering that most people in Malaysia and possibly other parts of the world, find it extremely difficult to turn down a request that has come from family members, friends, colleagues, employers and in particular people with authority, this piece of advice sounds rather apt, in the scope of this study. If we allow ourselves to say 'Yes' all the time, we become slaves to others and we find ourselves stretched past our limits. On the other hand, when we say 'No' to others, we may also run the risk of offending others whose 'face' may be threatened, as a result of our rejection.