No Limits Ladies.com

If you ever want a good laugh, read this classic 1936 business book on the public bus during the school rush hour. That’s what I did on Thursday, not realizing that the title is…ummm…quite embarrassing. The looks I received were almost an even split between pity and scorn (the teenagers were most expressive and vocal as only teenagers are).

There’s a reason why this book has survived 70 years and it isn’t because its full of fluff.

Sure the examples may be dated. Like…Did you know that in his early days, Lincoln had quite a mouth on him? So much so that he was challenged to a duel. Supposedly that experience was such a shocker that “Never again did he write an insulting letter. Never again did he ridicule anyone. And from that time on, he almost never criticized anybody for anything.” Almost dying would do that for a person.

While the examples are history lessons, the “rules” hold true today (if not more). You still can’t win an argument (the other side usually ends up more convinced than ever that they are right. Arguing merely embarrasses them.). People still like to talk about themselves (be a good listener and you’ll be welcomed everywhere). They still want to feel important (that’s why using a person’s name is so important). They definitely respond better to praise than criticism.

For those moms out there, Dale Carnegie gives example after example of methods to deal with teenagers. Funny how we hear of the good ol’ days when teenagers were respectful and behaved. Well, those good ol’ days weren’t the 30’s while Carnegie was writing this book, that’s for certain. And considering the story about a mouthy young Abraham Lincoln, I doubt those good ol’ days ever existed.