Subtle manipulations

Can I have a sweet?

No!

The two year old then hangs their head in disappointment.

What about an apple?

Chin still firmly on the chest, not budging.

Yes they’re trying to manipulate you but it’s so delightfully obvious and coming from an innocent source that we call it cute.

The thing is, I reckon we’re all still like that two year old.

We’ve just gotten better at hiding our manipulation.

Instead we have the subtle avalanche of attention and adulation when we’re helpful, coupled with emotional distance and feigning deafness when enforcing boundaries and saying no.