Q: Whether you're in the office or out with your friends, sometimes someone will do something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Use assertive communication to not only tell them that you're uncomfortable, but to suggest an alternative.  If, for example, your co-worker keeps taking supplies from your desk without asking, don't just say, "I wish I had more pens, but someone keeps taking mine," when they are near you. This is a passive approach. Instead, confront them directly and say, "I get frustrated when you take my supplies because it inhibits my ability to do my job correctly. I'd prefer you request your own pens from now on. I can show you where the supply room is if you don't know where to get them yourself." An aggressive telemarketer or campaigner on the street can be difficult to shake. Use assertive communication to tell them what you need from a situation, and then follow through with direct action.  If a telemarketer won't stop calling, for example, stop them before they get to their sales pitch and let them know, "I know you are doing your job, but I am not interested in your product. I'd like to be removed from your list immediately. I will escalate this situation if you call me again." Then, follow through with direct action by writing down the name and number of the person and company that called you. If they call again, you can ask to speak to their manager or report the company to a overseeing body like the FCC. You can also take direct action by blocking the phone number and/or ignoring the phone call. In some situations, like asking your boss for a raise, you can proactively use assertive communication. Let that person know what you want and why you want it. Be firm, but stay open to conversation.  If you want to ask for a raise, for example, tell your boss "I'd like to discuss a salary increase. My metrics consistently outperform everyone else in the department by 30% and I want my hard work reflected in my paycheck. My goal is a 7% increase. Is this something we can make happen?" Give the other person a chance to respond and enter into a respectful negotiation. Demanding rather than requesting is an easy way to lose the thing you want.
A: Give someone an alternative to problematic behavior. State your needs and follow through with action with aggressive solicitors. Use assertive communication skills to ask for what you really want.

Article: Rubbing an ice cube over your pores for 10 to 15 seconds can help to tighten the skin and close up the pores, making them appear smaller. You should only do this on clean, freshly-washed skin. Make a paste from one tablespoon of baking soda and a little water.  Apply this paste to the problem areas and leave to dry for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. This can help to minimize the appearance of pores. Baking soda also dries out the skin, which can help to fight acne. Any method that reduces skin oil will also make pores appear smaller. Egg white masks are believed to tighten pores, making them appear smaller.  Mix 2 raw eggs whites with 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice. Apply this mask to the face and leave to sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. The orange juice helps to brighten your complexion.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Use ice. Use baking soda. Make an egg white mask.

Q: Remember: practice makes perfect. Before you debut your tag for the world to see, start off with something that’s for your eyes only. Grow accustomed to using spray-paint where you won’t be embarrassed by any mistakes or mishaps. Use a canvas that you can practice on and repaint as needed without being arrested, such as:  An actual large canvas A sheet of plywood A wall that belongs to you beforehand. Keep in mind that you want your tag to appear fluid and dynamic, regardless of how small or large it is. At the same time, realize that you will often need to move quickly to keep your lines nice and neat. Avoid mistakes that could be caused by a stiff body, aches, and cramps. Limber up beforehand. Also keep in mind:  This goes for your whole body, not just your arms. Expect your waist, hips, legs, and feet to have an impact on the quality of your work. The larger the surface area to be covered, the wider your range of motion will need to be. A larger canvas means you have to reach, lean, and bend to a greater degree, and more often. Expect the paint’s ingredients to separate over time. Always give it a vigorous shake before you use it, even if you only set it aside for a few minutes. Check the directions on the can to see how long you should shake, both before its first use and (if mentioned) again after a short pause. If you don’t shake it up, the consistency will be uneven. This means that it will be extremely thin at times (which makes for a weak coat), and thicker at others (which could cause clogs). If you need to attach a separate spray cap to your can, expect this to release some paint as you do so. Stay away from your canvas so it doesn’t get any spray-back. Place your finger (or better yet, a loose strip of tape) over the cap’s nozzle to catch what comes out. Remember that many paints have toxic ingredients. Even those that don’t should never be inhaled or ingested. Wear protective gloves and mask to reduce this risk. Before you try your hand at spraying your tag, start with simple lines sprayed from various distances. Judge the effect of how near or far you stand from your canvas. Expect a wider dispersal the farther back your stand.  For neat, crisp lines, you need to work up close. For fades and shadows, you need more distance. Remember that the paint is going to dry immediately upon contact. Expect prolonged spraying over one area to result in a wet buildup. Avoid drips and runs by keeping the can in motion constantly, especially if you’re aiming for very thin lines.  Again, some experimentation may be needed here. Constant motion is always key, but do some practice lines at various speeds to see what effect each has on your lines. Another reason not to dawdle is if you decide to tag some place without permission. Once you’re confident in your spray-painting skills, decide where to apply them. Avoid the temptation to simply tag a surface on impulse. Think before you act. Things to consider include:  Whether the area has already been tagged, in which case you should choose another. How visible it is, since you may be better off improving your skills on less visible areas. If it’s legal to tag this space, and if so, whose permission you need to obtain, if any. If it’s illegal to do so, and if so, if you’ll be easily noticed or caught.
A:
Practice first. Stretch Shake your can up. Put your spraying cap on well away from your canvas. Experiment with distance. Move quickly. Be choosy about locations.