If a 2-year-old can do it, why is it so hard for a grown woman? Okay, we know why. But we also know it must be done: If you accepted every invitation, you'd never sleep. If you gave to every worthy cause, you'd go broke. If you went along with everything everyone ever wanted from you, you'd be...as exhausted as you are right now. So for the times when you're truly sorry to decline, and for the times when you'd rather have a root canal than say yes, Penny Wrenn found 54 ways to say ixnay, thanks but no thanks, and count me out-courtesy of etiquette maven Anna Post, entertaining expert Donatella Arpaia, international mediator William Ury, and other well-boundaried people who will give no for an answer.

Scripts That Will Set You Free
How to say no...

• ...to friends and family who want too much
• ...at a restaurant
• ...when salespeople attack
• ...in the bedroom
• ...at the office
• ...anytime, anywhere