BE BOLD AND JUST SAY "NO".

Most of us find it hard to say "no" and then harder to live with our "yes"es. Haven't you ever agreed to got to a party or dinner somewhere that you just know you are not going to enjoy? In fact, you wonder why you said "yes" in the first place, and you spend the next week in gloomy anticipation.

I used to be very much like that until I decided that it was time to stand up and be counted. I remembered Polonius' advice to his son: "unto thine own self be true, and it follows as the night the day, thou canst not be false to any man." So I began to say no.

Whilst on a working holiday in Tasmania recently I visited Strahan and booked a ride on the jet boat. Having an hour to kill I decided to have lunch at Hamers Hotel by the waterfront. I ordered lobster bisque, steak and salad, paid for the meal and waited for my number to come up on the board.

In due course my number flashed, and I went to collect my bisque.

Carrying it back to my table I tasted it to discover it was... tomato soup! Back to the counter. "Excuse me," I said to the attractive young girl, "I ordered lobster bisque and you've given me tomato soup." "Well sir, it is tomato-based you know." "I'm afraid these tomatoes have never seen the sea, let alone a lobster, ma'am," "I haven't time to argue sir, you'll have to speak to the manager or the chef." said this paragon of customer relations. "I'll speak to the manager." "He isn't here at the moment." "Then please ask the chef to speak with me." She made a sort of sucking-hissing sound and swept into the kitchen.

Within a few minutes a rather pleasant looking, hippy type young man stepped out of the kitchen. He was wearing a T-shirt with the word "CHEF" emblazoned across an alarmingly broad chest. "Is there a problem, sir?" "I don't think so," I replied with my friendliest smile, "I ordered lobster bisque and you've given me tomato soup."

He gave me the tomato-based routine. I told him that I hated being ripped off and dropped my tomato in the sea line. A slow grin spread across his features, and he asked me if I would like another soup or my money back. I took the money and waited for my steak.

About ten minutes later the kitchen door opened and out came the "CHEF" with a large tray bearing a huge perfectly cooked porterhouse, a great salad and, though I hadn't ordered it, a plate piled with garlic bread. "With our compliments, and I'm sorry about the soup, sir."

He said that he was really the apprentice chef and I think his name was Wayne. Anyway, one large Bob Ansett badge of excellence to you, sir. And yes, I certainly would return to Hamers for a meal.

So brothers and sisters, this above all: Unto thine own self be true... stand up for yourself and start saying NO.

Enough's enough. If you want the world to change, start with yourself.

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