• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

BrazenEscape

a poetry blog, mostly.

  • About
  • Contact
  • Quotables
  • Categories
    • Poetry
    • Prose
    • Story
    • Humor
    • Blog
You are here: Home / Humor / Don’t Say No

Don’t Say No

February 4, 2016 34 Comments

In the Eighties, Nancy Reagan coined the phrase, “Just Say No To Drugs.” A shorter version, immortalizing the notion in slogan was, “Just Say No.” The catchy slogan has some value beyond the original intent of helping vulnerable youth find a way to fight peer pressure which might tempt them to try drugs. The concept has wide practical application, from work scenarios, to telemarketers, to perpetually needy family or friends. In truth, it could apply to any sort of pressure which subjugates us to the will of another person, people, entity, or entities, which chirps like baby birds hoping to be fed of us, and it should be applied in all of these cases.

But, it won’t work.

The problem with the word, “No”, is that it’s not heard often enough that’s it’s truly understood. The word, “No”, is met with a bit of disbelief, some expectation of equivocation is contained within this foreign notion of a word. My dogs understand the word, “No”, and slink away with their tail between their legs upon hearing the reprimand. Humans, however, upon hearing the word, turn their head, quizzically, to the side, raising an eyebrow, and one furry ear, puzzled that they would hear such a bizarre thing. They pant, and they whimper, stricken with confusion and incredulity.

The word, “No”, comprised of only two letters, isn’t of the proper stature to meet the tall order of defiance. Instead of just saying, “No”, I would suggest just saying, “Fuck you”. It’s an attention-getter. The pushy car salesman who responds to, “No” with further insistence that you do, indeed, need to purchase the extended warranty for the vehicle he just assured you was extremely reliable, will respond quite differently to, “Fuck you.” There is no further question. The conversation has been had, with no further need for discussion. What “No” lacks in resolve, “Fuck you” may compensate for, in either the soft-spoken eloquence of candor, or in blood-knuckled, pugilistic spirit.

Sadly, the government wouldn’t be able to use, “Just Say Fuck You” for anti-drug billboard campaigns. “Fuck you” is out, no matter how much they would like to fuck you, and me, and everyone. There’s probably a law against using the term. Besides, it would be too honest if they said so, and it would seem there is a law against honesty in governance as well.

While a powerful statement, some might feel some reluctance in using the phrase, thinking it a full frontal assault, a brash alternative, a poke in the eye with an extended middle finger, but it is none of these things. “Fuck you”, in this context, is less about the other person than about ourselves. It is, in its finality, an affirmation of self, a frank statement of divergence on a proposed course of action. It is an adult acknowledgment that we need not agree on everything, but that no ground shall be surrendered this day.

Hold your head up high, and say it proudly, smile and let them see the joyful twinkle of sincerity in your eyes. The next time doe-eyed children in brown sashes and skirts awaken you from a nap, banging on the door and demanding that you buy cookies, don’t say, “No”, just say, “Fuck you.”

34 Comments

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Enter your email address to receive weekly notifications of new posts.
Join 26 other subscribers.

Previous Post: « paradoxical
Next Post: Barking at Shadows »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 2ndhalfolife says

    February 4, 2016 at 11:44 pm

    I’ve used this phrase in anger more than once for sure. I’ve always been aligned with George Carlin when he said there are no bad words…bad people maybe, but no bad words. It’s really HOW we say something. So personally, we can say NO in a way where we really mean it I feel. But you have to follow up with actions. If you say no to a kid and then go ahead and give in, then they’ll never believe you again. But if no means no…then it means something. Just like when your dog knows it! 🙂

    Reply
    • Eric says

      February 4, 2016 at 11:47 pm

      True, true, and true. This was just a bit of fun, with perhaps a bit of truth smeared on there somewhere, though I won’t pretend to know where 😉

      Reply
      • 2ndhalfolife says

        February 5, 2016 at 1:35 am

        ?

        Reply
  2. VictoryInTrouble says

    February 5, 2016 at 12:09 am

    Omg, Eric! This is hilarious. Read with a huge smile. Yes, I think it’s a good idea. If, when someone inevitably takes offense, I can point them back here to you. ?

    Reply
    • Eric says

      February 5, 2016 at 12:24 am

      Ha! You can blame me. I accustomed to that 🙂

      Reply
  3. tiffanybeingfree says

    February 5, 2016 at 12:45 am

    This.is.fucking.awesome!

    Reply
    • Eric says

      February 5, 2016 at 12:50 am

      Thank you, Tiffany 🙂 Glad you liked this silliness. And thank you for swearing. I enjoyed that!

      Reply
      • tiffanybeingfree says

        February 5, 2016 at 12:56 am

        Oh, fuck is my favorite word. Ever. No question.

        Reply
        • Eric says

          February 5, 2016 at 12:59 am

          Yes. It is, beyond any doubt, the most versatile word ever invented.

          Reply
          • tiffanybeingfree says

            February 5, 2016 at 1:23 am

            Fuck intrinsic morphology. =) I can already imagine your post on that!

            Reply
            • Eric says

              February 5, 2016 at 1:28 am

              Lol. That’s a gooood one! How’d you know I’d be tempted by that topic? You crack me up 🙂

              Reply
              • tiffanybeingfree says

                February 5, 2016 at 1:44 am

                =) intuition I guess.

                Reply
                • Eric says

                  February 5, 2016 at 1:47 am

                  🙂

                  Reply
  4. Steph says

    February 5, 2016 at 1:00 am

    U, Mister, r an incredeeblee funee writtur.

    I chuckled much and only dripped a few drops. 😀

    Wonderful idea that might work w a few. Not w kids…their parents will sue me for trauma of a minor. Wouldnt work w my sister…she’d call the cops on me for harrassment. And in my wlld west state everyone carries weapons..loaded, cocked and ready to express umbrage.

    I just get in their face, pour garlic breathe on em..and they flee like scared rabbits. Lmao. 😛

    Reply
    • Eric says

      February 5, 2016 at 1:08 am

      Ah.. I understand the genius of that. They can’t shoot straight after a vision-blurring blast of garlic breath. Brilliance! 🙂

      Reply
      • Steph says

        February 5, 2016 at 1:10 am

        The trick is to persevere. If they move bk..stay in their face. Lol 😛

        Reply
        • Eric says

          February 5, 2016 at 1:11 am

          Lol. You’re just not right 🙂 I like that about you.

          Reply
  5. Lauren Simon says

    February 5, 2016 at 1:15 am

    I’m going to use this! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Eric says

      February 5, 2016 at 1:18 am

      My pleasure, and you’re welcome 😉 I was thinking of getting it printed on business cards to pass around if I get tired of saying it.

      Reply
      • Lauren Simon says

        February 5, 2016 at 1:44 am

        Wanna go in on them halfsies? I could use some, too. Ha!

        Reply
        • Eric says

          February 5, 2016 at 1:47 am

          Deal. 🙂

          Reply
  6. busymindthinking says

    February 5, 2016 at 1:42 am

    My ribs absolutely love your writing!!!! I loved the phrase about the law against honesty. 🙂

    Reply
    • Eric says

      February 5, 2016 at 1:48 am

      Lol. Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed this 🙂

      Reply
      • busymindthinking says

        February 5, 2016 at 1:50 am

        I did! Your site is an awesome find!

        Reply
        • Eric says

          February 5, 2016 at 1:58 am

          🙂

          Reply
  7. lifeinameadow says

    February 5, 2016 at 1:51 am

    Hahaha! I laughed ridiculously loud on this one, as well as the follow-up commentary. Fuck you, indeed. Fuck is a fantastically fricative and versatile four-letter invective full of sound, fury, and sensuality.

    Reply
    • Eric says

      February 5, 2016 at 1:58 am

      ha! Fuckity Fuck, Fuck! You’re killing me with this 🙂 And thank you so very much for doing so. And yes, you’re right.. Fuck is all those things 🙂

      Reply
  8. lifeinameadow says

    February 5, 2016 at 2:00 am

    You’re welcome! Glad I could be of service! ?

    Reply
  9. Antanya In The Fog says

    February 5, 2016 at 3:10 am

    Hah! I love it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Eric says

      February 5, 2016 at 3:16 am

      Thanks, Antanya 🙂

      Reply
  10. writeupmyalleyblog says

    February 5, 2016 at 2:21 am

    Fucking brilliant, if I may say. Drinking or just naturally entertaining?

    Reply
    • Eric says

      February 5, 2016 at 2:27 am

      Thank you 🙂 Believe it or not, I rarely drink these days. I know that to say such a thing as a writer is sacrilege.. I tend to write drinking poems when I do drink tho.

      Reply
      • writeupmyalleyblog says

        February 5, 2016 at 2:54 am

        Post one, so I may imbibe in your words. Sigh;)

        Reply
        • Eric says

          February 5, 2016 at 3:11 am

          Okay.. It’s a change of tone tho

          Reply

Join the Discussion! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Thanks for your feedback!

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • the promise
  • tho our sparrows may whisper
  • muttering shadows
  • red swelter
  • suburban gardens

Copyright © 2025 · BrazenEscape.com | Terms of Service & Privacy Policy | Manage Profile