Say the Magic Words: How to Get What You Want from the People Who Have What You Need

By Lynette Padwa

A proven master of the popular reference book gives readers a passport to daily encounters, with magic words that unlock information and secure cooperation, and the absolute no-no's that guarantee nothing but grief.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142002127
• ISBN13: 9780142002124
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.6" x 5.1"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Like reading the other person's playbook!

The author gets it right in the very first paragraph: The REAL Golden Rule isn't doing unto others what you'd have them do unto you; it's about doing unto others what THEY want done unto themselves. Eighteen chapters cover topics from doctors to funeral directors; car salesmen to auto mechanics; realtors to general contractors. Each chapter stands on its own as a "playbook" with practical advice for dealing with common situations. Pawda teaches win-win by showing the reader how to see the world through the other person's eyes. Read it once for the practical advice. Read it again for insight into human behavior. Read it one more time to transform how you see others.

Get it right the first time

Everyday life has become exceedingly complicate. We don't have the leeway to make mistakes in our dealings with people and expect to learn from these mistakes sometime in the future. We need to increase our chances of getting it right the first time. This is where Lynette Padwa's book comes in. Wouldn't it be better to see a doctor with some prior understanding about how a doctor's office really and how you can maximize getting the best possible treatment? Similarly, if you've never consulted a lawyer before, wouldn't it increase your chances of having a good experience if you knew how lawyers feel about their clients and how a law office operates. I found this book to be both fascinating and highly informative, as well as easy to read. I know I'll use it often.

really practical advice

I was looking for a general contractor for some big house repairs and bought several books devoted to the subject. Even with all the detail contained in those dedicated volumes, none was able to hold a candle to the succinct chapter on the subject in "Say the Magic Words." Padwa miraculously consolidated all the necessary considerations about working with a general contractors--interviewing them, deciding on the best one, understanding the contract you'll be entering into when you hire one, and negotiating the actual work--into one pithy, well-organized narrative that was enjoyable to read and made perfect sense. I didn't throw out the other books, but when it comes to solving any questions or problems that arise during negotiations with the contractor, it is "Say the Magic Words" that I'll turn to.

A money saver

We just started renovating our kitchen and found the section on "General Contractor" was a huge help. We saved lots of money and headache knowing what to ask our contractor and what to do to prepare for the project. This book is a must for anyone planning on a remodel or other job with a contractor.

I WISH I'D HAD THIS BOOK A FEW DAYS SOONER!

I recently suffered through the process of shopping for a new car. I ended up falling in love with the perfect little car, taking it for a test drive, negotiating for a good (i thought at the time) deal, and signing the papers all within an hour. Later that afternoon I came across this wonderful book. How I wish that I'd read it before I bought my new car. The advice on dealing with car salesmen and negotiating the best deal is invaluable...as is the rest of this very practical book. It has become a permanent part of my home's reference bookshelf.