...and also for dumb brunettes like moi LOL It really is the best strategy. I'm trying to explain this to my DD ATM: be nice to people especially if you need them to do something for you when they don't have to. When she rants and raves at me I just tell her "no, why would I want to help somebody who speaks to me like that?"

I also once heard a room-mate of mine have the (what I thought was) the funniest conversation with an airline ticket salesperson over the 'phone. She started the conversation by telling off the person for an error that had been made (partly her fault BTW) she ranted and raved and then she went quiet... the saleperson was obviously giving her some options... then she said "oh, ok well could you do that for me then?" silence then "oh, it might not be possible?" the saleperson was obviously making her suffer for the earlier tirade. Anyhow after eating a large portion of humble pie my room mate got off the phone and told me that the problem might be able to be fixed... she had to wait for another call. I think it was sorted but I will never forget that chain of events. Totally unrelated to your post Sammi but I just thought I would put it out there as it's something that seems to escape most people: be nice if you want something done THEN express your dissatisfaction if you are still p*ssed off yet don't need anything from them.