Nataly

Hmmm.. I would say that if you don't know when the appropriate time is to come in with a request like than, then you may be negotiating *way* out of your league!!! In all seriousness, though.. The *when* part isn't as important as the *how*.. First, come up with every possible objection he, his bosses, your colleagues and HR could come up with. Write them down. Now come up with solid arguments in your favour to counter those objections. This way, you'll be prepared to calmly face his arguments and inch closer to your goal. So that deals with the negative. Next, come up with every possible reason why it's in his/the company's interest to give you more money.. Don't write down reasons that benefit you - that is pretty much irrelevant. Reasons that strengthen your argument: -you're difficult to replace -you've demonstrated loyalty and are going to continue in this vain -you have added *value* to the business, as opposed to just doing what the job *requires* (ie: you've brought more to the role than other people could/would) -you have something to offer moving forward (otherwise, he's rewarding you for something you've already done, which is pointless from their point of view unless you're going to be doing more of it in the future) -note that what your predecessor was earning bears little relevance to your arguments.. your predecessor might have been better at his job (or maybe not).. but the fact remains the company already knows you're willing to work for less.. in fact, this may be a key reason why they picked you to do it in the first place.. in fact, part of what makes you so valuable may in fact be that you're "cheap", so be conscious that asking for more money could really work against you. Overall, go in there with solid, indisputable evidence of your achievements. Have a positive attitude. Clearly demonstrate that you are worth every penny, but don't be cocky or whiney about it. Make sure you reaffirm how much you love your job and how devoted you are to it - show your loyalty. But you need to be prepared to face the fact that they will not budge. If you go in unreasonably high, you will never be able to negotiate again - both sides need to feel they've lost a little and (more importantly) gained a little. If possible, try and get your boss to tell you what a great job you've done *before* you go tooting your own horn. You'll then get a good feel for how cheeky you can be with the amount you ask for! Whatever you do, don't back down. Certainly don't take the first offer. If you're worth it, they'll come in with a respectably low offer. If you hold out and you're really worth it, they will up that to some kind of offer that you can both grudgingly accept. If you're the most kickass employee ever, they will just say yes, and you need to NOT talk yourself out of a sale, accept with polite dignity, and laugh (quietly) all the way to the bank!!! BTW.. 50%.. My first response to that would be: so you think you're doing 3 hours of charity per day?!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Aww MAN!! I got nothin.. I so wanted to put something interesting, but there you go.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

At least our cooties don't include butt-fuzz and belly-button lint!! Ewwwww!! *Boys* have ickier cooties!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

DUDE.. I feel for you.. I've been cheated on and I was FURIOUS. I think people should have the common decency to end one relationship before starting another.. I know sometimes people fall in love with someone else, but after 2+ years, it's really not cool to do that to your SO. I hope the public humiliation was a little bit satisfying.. Hang in there.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

YES!!! I used to work in an office where I was one of only 2 skinny people. Everyone used to "jokingly" call me a "skinny bitch" every time the topic got onto weight, food, fitness, clothes, etc., etc.. It used to really piss me off.. When did it become ok to call someone a bitch because of their weight.. I don't go around making comments on other people's weight.. How would those women have felt if I kept saying, oh, blah blah, you "fat cow" - but always as a "joke", naturally.. Hmmm.. Don't think so. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Yeah, she's funny, but in small doses!!! I couldn't even listen to the whole thing! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I'm thinking about getting ear-plugs.. You know a couple of people have said that, now, but actually it's not a stupid idea!! But I'm still moving out.. Both me and my other house-mate have tried everything with her. We've even said she should think about what she originally agreed to and if she can't keep to that it's really unfair on us.. But we can't force her to move, so we've both decided to leave instead. I just talked with him earlier and he said he was moving for the same reason!! Anyway, hopefully I can find somewhere with a slightly better set-up anyway. Prices have gone down, so I may even be able to save some money

It's the same housemate!!! The thing is, that I'm not asking her not to make *any* noise.. I'm asking her to *lower* the volume, after 9pm. The guy who was there before her used to work night shift.. He used to come in at all hours, cook at all hours, have guests at all hours, and yet it was never loud enough to cause problems. My other housemate doesn't make a nuisance of himself - he's delightful!! I've lived in barracks, in the military, with the most obnoxious people you can imagine and *still* they were less disruptive than this girl.. The thing that gets me is that she has listed a series of things that she couldn't tolerate, and I adjusted my behaviour accordingly. But when I ask her just to be more quiet, she thinks I'm being unreasonable! I find her attitude frankly infuriating. The thing that further irritates me is before she moved in, we specifically said we needed someone who was going to be quiet and considerate.. If she knew she was going to make lots of noise, I feel she shouldn't have lied about what she was like. BTW, the other housemate can't stand her either.. He argues with her almost every day, whereas I actually try to talk to her. Nothing seems to work. Which is why I'm leaving Oddly enough, my other housemate is looking for another place as well.. I've lived with others all my life & I think I'm pretty tolerant.. I really just need to be able to study and she *knew* this *before* moving in. I'm so frustrated.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I've asked my house-mate not to make noise after 9pm because I'm studying for accountancy exams and need to be able to focus/study/sleep.. To put things into context.. I rent a room in a house, along with 2 other people. My room is actually a living-room, separated from the kitchen by thin wooden planks (not proper doors). It's also right by the entrance. As a result, it's the least sound-proof place you could possibly imagine. When we were showing the place to potential tenants, we were clear that they had to be quiet, tidy and respectful. I explained I was studying and pointed out that they had to be particularly careful because of the set-up of my room.. The house-mate in question makes *lots* of noise.. Clanging pots & pans in the kitchen for midnight snacks.. Long showers at 11pm (the water tank is by my room as well & REALLY loud).. She runs the vacuum at midnight IN THE HALLWAY.. She's on the phone, in the kitchen at all hours.. She watches TV until the wee hours of the morning - the TV being in the kitchen, which is practically in my room.. She's unfuckingbelievably loud when she talks & never shuts the fuck up.. I've talked to her about it *several* times and asked her to consider that she is living with other people.. Her view is that *I'm* being unreasonable, because 9pm is not late and she should be able to do what she wants 'cause it's her house too.. (BTW, I'm looking for a new place, but wanted to put this on here to get different points of view..) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

People who persist in yelling everything they say even though everyone else who is in the conversation is talking at a normal level. (Obviously, deaf people don't count.) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Pattern? Don't know what you mean? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

When my stupid house-mate does a big fry-up (every Saturday), and doesn't bother to open any windows or turn the fan on.. The entire house STINKS for the entire weekend. And my room is actually the living-room & is only separated from the kitchen by a panel *not* a wall or a proper door.. When my stupid house-mate watches TV *very* loudly until the wee hours of the morning in the kitchen (again, which is practically like having her watch her stupid shows right in my fucking room). When my stupid house-mate knocks on my door *seconds* before entering.. She doesn't fucking learn that knocking doesn't mean she automatically has a right to come in.. She has so far caught me masturbating, watching porn, and in various stages of undress in the mornings.. Is she maybe gay??! I think almost everything my stupid house-mate does is my pet-peeve.. She's not only inconsiderate, she's too stupid to realise she's inconsiderate. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

When the plants I actually look after keep dying, but the one I forgot about & left on the balcony is thriving even though it's an indoor plant & spent the *entire* winter outside!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Oh *dude* that sucks.. I feel your pain. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Or at McDonalds, when people can't find any money to pay for their food.. Hello - you had about 20 minutes to do this when you were standing there picking your nose! And anyway, how many places could it be?? 1. wallet 2. pocket - that's it!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I'm sorry. I lost your number. PM it to me again, and I'll call. Promise But I hope you will understand if I wait a few hours until you've calmed down. Hmm.. You must be thinking of someone else who's less attractive & has lower standards And I *AM* FUCKING CALM!!! Other pet peeves: when your colleagues or boss blatantly take credit for your work - especially when they're cowardly about it & do it behind your back thinking you might not find out.. I know *everything*!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Sorry dude.. I'm just a Canuck living in the Big Smoke (no, not Ontario, but the UK). And hmm.. In terms of the neighbours, I fail to see the problem with hearing them fuck?! Is she ugly?? "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

The funny thing is it happened or happens at every single gym I used to go or at the one I currently go to. I thought people go to the gym to exercise? Yet they seem to be very concerned about their proximity to the entrance... Ah ha ha!! So true, so true!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

People who say they will call but don't. If you're not interested, JUST FUCKING TELL ME!! And then, if they come up with some lame excuse, it's even worse - that means they think you're a fucking moron. Men: grow some testicles. Don't say you'll call when you have no intention of doing so. I once had a guy look at me and say quite plainly: "sorry. I'm sure you're very nice, but you're not my type." I thought "wow - simple yet effective.. now I have *no* reason to hope for *anything* to come of this" & I let it go instantly. Shit! I'm *angry* today!!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

People who walk slowly. Especially when in groups. Especially when they BLOCK THE FUCKING WAY. AARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!! *Some* of us are actually *going* somewhere!! Sorry.. This really makes my blood boil.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

OMG - I just listened to the one where he fires the telemarketer - *genius*!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Fredericton, Nouveau Brunswick - je suis en fait une francophone "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

How DARE you?!! I'm CANADIAN

In all fairness, *he* asked me why I thought the relationship broke down.. I couldn't help it He really *is* a big man-whore.. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Yeah.. I'm really tired and my internal censor isn't working like it should!! Edit to say: I just had a chat on facebook and told a very good friend that he lost his ex because he was a dog and a slutt and really he couldn't expect to bang another chick on the side and *also* keep the "love-of-his-life-of-the-week". In retrospect.. Maybe a bit harsh "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss