Blackmail

An excerpt from RTW

"Blackmail.

It's ugly, and dangerous. And it never-ever-ever works out well.
I have a bit to say on the subject.

#1:
Don't blackmail.
^
that is the most important. Unfortunately, you sometimes have to. Well, you never HAVE to, but it does sometimes make things a bit easier.

Here's the bottom line:
If you don't want to make enemies, ones who would love to kill you, don't blackmail.
although, if you don't want to make deadly enemies, you should probably stop reading this book!

anyway.

When - if - blackmailing, you must do it correctly.

Don't give leeway, don't accept less. And don't ask for more either; it makes you seem desperate and vulnerable. last thing: don't make it seem like you're getting anything out of it. Make it seem like you're doing them a favor.

i.e.
"Gimme your money, or I'll tell your boss you lied on the job app!"
you sound like a mugger. Blackmailers are sophisticated.

"I won't tell your boss! I would never! Of course, I'll need some compensation, preferablly monetary. I mean, you wouldn't want it to acidentally spill out, you know." *cue the gloating smile that comes when you know you have the upper hand*

That's pretty much all you need to know about being a blackmailer!

now on to #2:

getting blackmailed.

Ok, so really, you should just avoid any situations that people could blackmail you for.

BUT

if someone finds something out, and attempts to blackmail you, don't give in.
99.99% of the time, it should be something you can ignore. It's amazing how, when you don't care, people don't care. The blackmailer will most likely drop your secret. And if they do, weather it. Much better to have secrets exposed than to be under a blackmailer's thumb.

Of course, if it is a particularly bad secret, there is always a third option.

Kill the blackmailer.

sure it's gross, violent, and illegal, but it's the only sure way.

Although, that breaks the first rule, because a murder is definitely something to be blackmailed about!

So, we come back to the beginning... just stay away from blackmail!"

~LS