The Mustang That i have never got - Essay Example

 My parents, my sister and all my well-wishers are right, but I am thoroughly convinced that I am not wrong in owning my decisions. I never claim that whatever that I am going to do, is correct. But let them now know that my approach is, whatever correct is there in the world belongs to me. May parent’s worry is, what if I commit mistakes? With this apprehension they are denying me the opportunity to commit mistakes and learn from them and take the corrective course, wherever necessary. I do not wish to be an outright rebel, but rebel I will against all procedures that hold up the growth of my personality.

I understand they need to be kind to me, but let me appeal to them through persuasions that do not be cruelly kind to me! Please do not advise to me to stand on the seashore forever and take the plunge when the waves are not there. There will not be such a situation when the ocean will be wave-free. The waves shall be there at all times. My appeal to my parents is to teach me the art of fighting the waves and swim to my destination. Let them watch my struggles but let them not prevent me from my making my efforts.

The problem created by parents and my elder sister is simple and straightforward. I want to buy a Mustang Ford, and they will not allow me to have my choice. I knew it from the beginning as they firmly trust my lack of knowledge on all issues and I am a kid, and is not worthy and discuss my problems with them. They just want me to be their obedient son and “yours faithfully” is the watchword they would like to listen from me. Rather, they have no time for me. So my Mustang Car decision is going to be the acid test of our relationship and perhaps it is going to solve our relationship problems once for all.

When I told them about my decision, their reaction was on the expected lines and they confronted me with valid reasons (according to their usual style of reasoning) They tried to convince me that since it is going to be my first car, and with a sister living at home, a sports car shouldn’t be my choice and also it has a bad gas mileage. What shall be my strategy now to win over their confidence? In fact, I had done my homework as to how to tackle them through persuasion! I recently read an article by Lee, McGann on the subject of “Introduction to Persuasion” and I was much impressed and thought that it was the best course for me to tide over the dilemma.

Let me hasten to add and make one issue quite clear. I am willing to forsake a thousand Mustang cars for the sake of love of my parents and to maintain the cordial familial atmospheres. I know that I am one of the luckiest to be blessed with such caring parents. But now I must make them aware of the difference between caring and doting. McGann argues “Persuasion is a process by which people use messages to influence others. While persuasion typically uses information, the emphasis in a persuasive message is on influencing the receiver (rather than merely providing information and letting the receiver make up his/her own mind).

Persuasion attempts to change minds or get people to act. Persuaders seek change!” So, my aim now is to win over my overprotective parents through persuasion. They fear and feel suffocated by my efforts for independent approach to issues, and I am suffocated with the feeling that they are there around me always to interfere and check my moves. In the circumstances that I am placed in, I decided my approach to placate my parents and sister would be to make fullest use of The Theory of Persuasion.

I pleaded with them that they should spare a few minutes for me to discuss the issue and finally my parents and my elder sister agreed to talk to me without any pre-conditions. They said their decision not to allow me to go for Mustang is final, but at least they were willing to talk. I told them that, I am always bowled over in conversation on the strength of their loving emotions and as such my submission is documented in a piece of paper which I would read. Permission was readily granted. My submission was: “Please understand that seeking this privilege of Mustang Ford will not lead to seeking further privileges.

I am your child, and I do hope you know my date of birth. I was born 21 years ago and am wise enough to handle the privilege. This privilege will not be abused. I have always demonstrated my capacity of not only tolerance, but acceptance of all your commands/requests and I am now seriously concerned about the merit of my persuasion to for Mustang Ford. Your fear about my inability to handle the car is unwarranted. You are the genius in the art of parenting and I hardly disagree with your decisions.

But I plead with you that every rule has an exception and as such you all need to consider the request for the present privilege as an exceptional case. My comfort level is in driving the Mustang Ford, and do you ever enjoy the defeat of your own child and don’t you wish to see me availing the best possible option in life in all aspects? I appreciate my parents and respected sister for your concern and request you to give a chance to prove myself. Forgive my indulgence and I ask you whether you all have not committed any mistakes in your life?

I too wish to wish to follow your footsteps and request you to give me an opportunity to commit mistake, so that I can learn the valuable experience of life from that. You often quote the wise saying, ‘Those who walk only stumble.’ How long will you keep me under your protective wings?” I concluded, and absolute silence prevailed. Some second trickled by…. “No Mustang for the time being,” my father said firmly and he was almost choking! I was prepared for such an eventuality.

I released my final arrow of my theory of persuasion. “You please keep the key of my Mustang. I will drive it only on special occasions, like my birthday, marriage parties of friends and relatives, etc.” My mom just walked away to the kitchen. Father remained silent for a while and did not say anything. My sister rather screamed, “Do what you wish. You need not suffer for my sake!” My first and final approach to win over them was through persuasion, persuasion and persuasion! I knew for certain that persuasion and success were the alternative beats of the same heart.

…I had decided to do what I wished! There was no discussion about the car for a couple of weeks. I decided to just get a different car more suitable and economical, because the argument was not only about that car it was more important than that it was about that I wanted them to always trust me and believe in me and the choices that I wanted to make and think it suited my needs. So I bought a Sonata Hyundai not because I thought that they were right and I was wrong, it was because I thought by doing this they will trust me more and make them think that I am not stubborn like them but I am more understandable and now they can treat me like an adult and accept my decisions.

I drove the car to my parents’ house and they were shocked and my moves made them give me some of their time to at least sit and listen to me. “I will be guided by your wishes. Trust me, I am capable of making decisions, but your love is more important to me than the Mustang Ford.” My parents hugged me. Sister greeted me with a mischievous grin. They sat and listened. They wanted to talk to me more! Mom said that she would cook my favorite dish, vegetable biryani. That was the contribution of the invisible Mustang!

So many thanks to you Mustang for not arriving! References Lee, McGann. Persuasion theory intro [101] - Monmouth College Accessed on December 3, 2013.