There was a tidbit among the flood of trivia the other day that caught Mrs J’s attention. Someone had an issue with bringing bad news to their boss. Not because the news was especially bad. The boss just had such a temper any bearer of bad news was likely to be blown to pieces.

Mrs J could certainly sympathize with the problem. Most of us have probably been in that situation at some point in our lives. You know, that feeling where you want to put on your bulletproof raincoat and helmet before entering the room?

We may also have been guilty ourselves of taking the innocent messenger’s head in a fit of rage. And while if that happens once or twice it’s probably a sign that we’re human, Mrs J would suggest that regular offenders think about therapy, career change – or perhaps both.

And then she’d make a run for it. 

Nobody likes to receive bad news. However, Mrs J started thinking about how receiving bad news could be made better. Here’s her top 5 ways to receive bad news.

1. Integrated in the decoration of a delicious cake.

Cake makes everything better. Although if you get a lot of bad news, you may need to run a few more k’s.

2. Opened with a drumroll and finished with a fanfare and sound of roaring applause.

Creates the illusion of good news out of bad.

3. By a messenger wearing a chicken suit.

Perfect if you’re the boss of a big corporation and can make your employees do anything you like.

4. Through interpretive dance.

Great if you have creative and flexible messengers. Tights can be optional.

5. In morse code using a vuvuzela.

Guaranteed to transport football fans to a happier place. Plus if you’re the bearer of bad news rather than the receiver, you can stand really far away and still get your message across.

Just in case it doesn’t work.