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VATupdate Newsletter Week 24 2024

Strangers

There are various songs about people wearing masks or not revealing themselves completely all the time. In business language, this is often referred to as having a hidden agenda, which can imply negative intentions. However, some people find it difficult to show their emotions or feelings, or they simply need time to get to know you before they open up. And to be fair, there are some people you don’t want to get to know better.

It’s a pity that many of us were raised to see strangers as dangerous and scary. In a world increasingly suspicious of strangers, we’re often reluctant to interact with people we don’t know. However, engaging with strangers can make us wiser and happier.

Experiments reveal that people often fear social rejection when interacting with strangers, but these fears are largely unfounded. In one study, people who chatted with their baristas reported feeling a stronger sense of belonging and improved moods. Similar studies showed that commuters who spoke with strangers had more enjoyable journeys and felt happier.

While it’s understandable to feel uncomfortable talking to strangers due to social norms, fears of saying the wrong thing, or encountering untrustworthy individuals, positive interactions often dispel these concerns. People generally enjoy conversations with strangers and feel more connected and optimistic afterward.

The thing to be wary of is that VAT may not always be the best topic to talk about. Unless you’re a fan of VATupdate.com, of course. We actually receive comments from strangers when wearing our VATupdate cap or T-shirt. It then becomes clear that VAT is a good topic for everyone to talk about because nobody likes paying it, it’s always too much, and don’t you also think it’s ridiculous that product X (fill in almost any product) should be taxed at a lower rate?!

For VAT specialists, the lesson is clear: just as interacting with strangers can enrich our lives and build trust, you can wear your VAT-mask anytime. Even when you look in the mirror.

If you have any comments, questions, or ideas that you want to share with us, please send us an email at [email protected] or leave a comment under the posts of this newsletter on LinkedIn.


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