Independent Thinking

Rule Number Two: You can say "No"

If you were raised like me, you were taught manners. Be nice to people, don't be rude. Say "please" and "thank you" and so on and so forth. Well, that is fine in casual situations and with people you know, BUT... Not with strangers, and specially not with someone who wants something from you. 

The logic goes like this: 

If you say "yes" first... thats it - over - done with - you are morally trapped into going along with whatever comes next.

If on the other hand you say "no" first... then you have given yourself TIME!

Time to:

1. Think, "Why do they want it?"

2. Think, "What exactly do they want, and how much is this going to cost me?"

3. Think, "What the hell am I doing?"

and so on. If it turns out to be something you WANT to do/give, you can always say "yes" after a few more questions. But you are in control, not your upbringing forcing your hand.

Now, if it is important to them, they won't take "no" for an answer. If they keep insisting, then you have an extremely important clue here... [Something is up!] 

The Main Point: The more someone insists or pushes you, the more suspicious you should be as to the motives. Honest people don't use pressure and guilt to take things from you! Be sceptical. Say "NO" more often. It will open up your eyes.