Why Knot?

I had had my suspicions for some time, but have got more than ample proof in the last few days. Probably because such situations arise more frequently in an office, especially over e-mails, than anywhere else.

A very efficient way to tackle questions that are expected to make you analyze an issue, for example - "Do you think we should make another trip to Chennai to meet that client who has too much money to throw at us, and who has some nice-looking receptionists hanging around (and of course bill him for the whole trip)?" - is to reply back with a "Why not!".

Note the exclamation mark. Two of them might be even better, though three would be over-doing it a bit. Exclamation marks make the response seem obvious, as against a question mark or a full-stop, which would indicate that you are not entirely sure and are raising a doubt.

One can save himself quite a bit of pointless thinking in an office with the right use of this brilliant phrase. Some more examples:

"Do you think we should schedule our next meeting with that PE firm at the coffee-shop at the ITC Grand? We have been doing too many meetings at the Leela." - "Why not!"

"Can we consider Mr '35-year experience as a senior manager in a PSU' for a director's position in our firm, to help us out with government contacts and stuff?" - "Why not!!"

"Should we bring out some more pointless research papers, compiled from the several already available in the market, with proper employment of our report beautification skills, so that we can strengthen our position at the forefront of research and analysis?" - "Well, why not!!"

And you survive another day of office to go back home to that much-needed can of beer.