A PROPOSAL
If you've ever given a massage, you've probably been told at some point that you're good at them. Massages usually feel quite good, even at the most amateur level. For some people, however, this praise can lead to over confidence. People can come to believe that 'I'm the sort of person that is good at massage', even in the face of powerful evidence to the contrary.
"Ouch don't do that. You're hurting my neck"
"No Im not. Im the sort of person that is good at massage"
They will even try and prove that it is your neck nerves that are wrong, not their skilled fingers...
(Strained) "Please stop"
"Listen, if your neck is hurting, you're not letting me do it right"
Their belief in their massage skills is fundamental, and like a zealot, they are pretty hard to argue with when it comes to core beliefs.
Eventually you will make your escape, but you may lose your friend and probably the use of half your face. To protect against this I propose that all massage praise is in future realistically calibrated.
"That was a good massage in a way that many people would be capable of. I nevertheless appreciate your attention"
For example.
Incidentally, the best massage I ever got was off a 6' 5" Polish scaffolder called Joe. It was like he was rubbing my soul. He was not in the least bit noisy about his skills, but people who he had touched were positively, off the radar, 'best massage ever!' evangelical. It would seem that recipient testimony is a far better indicator than the boasts of a potential incapacitator.
Remember. Be accurate with your massage praise.
Massage zealots may already be lost, but lets hope that some shoulder muscles may still be saved.
No comments:
Post a Comment