You often find them when purchasing a firearm or a new insurance policy. They are also sometimes found in divorce agreements. I have found the best use of a so-called waiting period. Technical support. I use it as a teaching tool. Recall the Chinese proverb:
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
When my brother calls, for example, looking for help with a complex mail merge, I could do all the work for him. This would certainly get him up and running. However, by implementing a waiting period with his request, it causes him to continue working on it himself. Add that with a helpful hint or two, and it’s often all that is required to motivate him to figure it out on his own. Encouragement is very powerful. Nice sql join, grasshopper.
– steve
March 18th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
This is a very wise proverb indeed. As a younger brother, you should recall the “noogie”, that knuckle to head friction, also very powerful.
Although I must thank you for the assistance you have indirectly provided; it must be pointed out that I too am teaching men to fish.
Gonnnngggggg.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Surely this does not apply to mothers or grandmothers.