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What is there to critique about rejection? To the untrained eye, a rejection is simply an answer in the negative. To a well seasoned eye, such as my own, rejection includes several levels worthy of scrutiny.
Some rejecters are simply stylish. The flair with which they communicate their rejection begs the voice and utterance of the pen. Other rejecters must be commended because of the straightforwardness of their message-a message about which observers are forced to ask themselves how the rejected could not understand that the answer is no.
There is, of course, the rare occasion when panache meets candor. I have come across such a rejection, and I will describe it, but first, allow me to deal with some common forms of rejection.
Absence/Lack of Communication: This type of rejection is often used by the cowardly, the inexperienced, or the cold-hearted. Regardless, this brand of rejection usually earns very low ratings. It is clumsy, awkward, thoughtless, and often ineffective.
Sometimes, however, the rejecter can earn style points by refusing to communicate in the very presence of the ill-fated hopeful. It might be argued by some that a face-to-face refusal to
communicate would best fall under the Harsh Rejection category.
Harsh Rejection: Although cruel, the harsh rejection is also usually the wittiest one. It is a guilty pleasure, not unlike a dark comedy, often demanding high ratings. (Every once in a while, there is no humor and the rejection loses style points. It remains effective, however.)
I recall vividly my first harsh rejection. I didn't have the opportunity to communicate verbally with her. I simply stared into her dark eyes, and she into mine. My heart leapt with expectation as she opened her mouth to speak.
"You"
Yes, my love?
"have a big booger in your nose."
Oh, the anguish of elementary school! Because of that instance, perhaps, I don't have many other verbal, first-person accounts to offer for scrutiny. My cowardice, mind you, hasn't prevented me from undergoing rejection (indeed, neither has my courage).
Most of the rejection I've suffered has come in the form of watching a particular love interest shamelessly go after someone else. Yet through good friends, I have vicariously faced direct rejection. Those few times I have been bold enough to express interest have ended in much the same way as my ill-fated friends.
Patronizing Rejections: My fellow rejects
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