Ask for the Fairy Floss
They can only say no!
Let me regale you with the tale of my recent family vacation filled with embarrassment and dessert-based escapades! Picture this: we were enjoying a lovely dinner at an Irish pub in Tamborine, Queensland, with half the town seemingly present. Little did I know that my innocent desire for fairy floss would cause my husband and teenage son to flee the scene like startled rabbits.
So, what did I do you ask?? As we made our grand exit through the front alfresco area. Lo and behold, right in the middle of our path stood a mystical fairy floss-making lady. Now, let me tell you, I adore fairy floss. It’s like fluffy clouds of sugary joy that melt in your mouth. So, naturally, I couldn’t resist the temptation to ask if I could purchase one.
In the blink of an eye, my family vanished, leaving me alone with my confectionary quest. Confused, I turned around and saw them huddled together outside, near the street, probably plotting their escape from the shame I had unwittingly bestowed upon them.
As the fairy floss-making lady cheerfully started to make my treat, I struck up a conversation to understand why an Irish pub was dabbling in such whimsical treats. It turns out, she was one of the owners and wanted to make fairy floss despite her husbands raised eyebrows, so she did. The fact that I asked her if I could have one with such childish glee, was why she did it in the first place.
Victorious, I emerged from the pub, clutching my free fairy floss to be met by my deserting family and sticky fingers reaching out to enjoy the fruits of my fairy floss labour. As we devoured the sugary delight, we engaged in a lively debate about their desertion and aversion to awkward situations.
They confessed they would never dream of sending a meal back if it weren’t right, or even questioning an overcharge at a shop. Can you believe it — they’d rather pay full price for jewellery without haggling for a better deal!! (pssst, did you know jewellery has a massive mark-up?). The very idea of initiating these potentially uncomfortable conversations made their skin crawl.
It’s not always about creating conflict
Sometimes all it takes is a simple question in a non-entitled way, to open doors to wonderful opportunities. I shared my own experiences, like getting promotions, discounts, and even free flights, just by mustering the courage to ask. And let’s not forget the enchanting fairy floss that started it all!
I am travelling to New Zealand in a few months as a speaker at a conference. I asked if there was any travel inclusion as part of the role and am now receiving free accommodation and flights. If I hadn’t asked, it wouldn’t have been offered.
As an extrovert, striking up conversations doesn’t fill me with icy dread like it does for my introverted friends and family. I may not fully understand their panic and trepidation, but from my perspective, the worst that can happen is a polite “no,” and hey, that’s a small price to pay for the chance of something amazing.
I implore you to be brave and ask for that fairy floss in your life
Don’t miss out on incredible experiences simply because you’re afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Be bold, wear that smile, and embark on a journey of delightful surprises. Who knows? You might just find yourself with a mouthful of cotton candy and a heart full of joy!
