Play a strong hand, always.
If there is one thing I learnt from my old boss, it was to always play a strong hand.
And I have learnt it well.
''Take the emotion out of it'', he would say.
Don't be abusive,don't react, just fold your arm's and firmly say 'No'.
And for the most part I subscribe to this.
I think it works.
But after the drama has ended, you are kinda left alone.
And you can't help thinking to yourself -
I'm not the totally unfeeling prick people take me for.
Maybe the feelings run deeper than most and the best thing is to bury them a little.

Business is business my friend...nothing personal there..but you already know that...