Q: Is it a group of people, or just one person? If you are dealing with a group of people, it is best to confront either the leader of the group or the weakest person in the group. Tell them that you feel like they are pressuring you into doing something you don’t want to do. When you feel you are being manipulated, try asking the person a series of probing questions. This may catch them off guard and allow you the time you need to analyze the situation and make a decision about how you want to handle it. Some questions you could ask include:  Do I have a say in this? Does this seem reasonable to you? Are you asking me or telling me? What do I get out of this? Does what you want from me sound fair? When this person(s) asks you to do something you do not want to do, simply refuse. This can be difficult at first, but you have to understand that no good will come out of it for either of you. Once you say no, the person will most likely be surprised. Learning to firmly say no is an important part of not allowing yourself to be manipulated. If you are continually pressured to do something unpleasant, say no and walk away. Do not allow the person(s) to coerce you by pressuring you over and over. If they don’t accept your refusal, simply exit the situation. It is best to do this in a private place. Explain that you do not want to let yourself be controlled. However, you should also mention that you still want to continue the friendship, as long as this person is willing to change their behavior. Most of the time, this person will not want to continue the relationship. Do not be depressed about this. Recognize the fact that your life was not improved at all by this person. One of the main methods of manipulation that people use is giving undue flattery. When someone praises you, especially when you really haven’t done anything to deserve it, this feels good and it’s easy to give in to it. But that is just a form of trickery by a manipulative person who knows exactly what they’re doing. Try telling them that you appreciate the compliment, but you don’t feel like you’ve done enough to deserve such comments.
A: Think about the individual(s) manipulating you. Ask the manipulator questions. Refuse the request. Don’t give in to continued attempts. Confront the person. Don’t give in to flattery.

Q: A major factor in happiness is social contact and support. Talking to a friend about your sadness or the situation that has caused your sadness can help lessen the pain because you will know that someone cares about you and your feelings. Talking out loud can also help you "air out" your emotions and clarify exactly what you are feeling because it requires you put those feelings into words. Your sadness is no longer abstract, but becomes real, something that can be named and discussed, through its articulation in words.  Research has shown that people who experience major life stresses, such as the loss of a partner or job, come out the other side of the ordeal more easily if they have a network of friends and family on whom they can draw and rely.  You may also learn something from talking to a friend. For example, maybe your friend has experienced similar feelings or a similar situation and can offer you support and advice. Alternatively, your friend may be able to help you look at your situation from a different angle and may be able to suggest methods of coping that you had not yet thought of. If you're going through a break up, for example, maybe your friend reminds you of all of the times you called her complaining about how your boyfriend was inattentive and selfish. In this sense, your friend can help remind you of the reasons why you broke up with your boyfriend when you're stuck being sad about the breakup itself. Friends can also help you feel supported and alleviate the feeling that you are alone. They offer you a place to be heard and understood. In addition, simply talking with a friend may improve your mood since you will likely end up smiling and laughing at some point! See a movie, go for dinner, or head out for a bike ride with friends or family. Along with distracting yourself, social interaction outside will help you get out of your own head for a few hours. Just talking with others - even exchanging menial pleasantries - and a change of scenery can improve your mood. If you're a loner by nature, don't overdo it with the socializing as this might make you more stressed and anxious. Aim for limited, low-key social interaction, like running an errand, grabbing groceries, or getting a pedicure with a friend, rather than a long night of bar-hopping with friends. If you don't feel like being social with other human beings, consider spending time your cuddly pet! Cuddling or petting a favorite animal can help improve your sad mood by meeting the basic human need of connection and closeness. Research has shown that spending time with dogs increases the concentration of endorphins, chemicals that interact with the receptors in your brain to trigger positive feelings and improve your mood. Additionally, animals are particularly adept at sensing our moods through our body movements and tone of voice, so they are often “in-tune” with how we are feeling. Giving your time and energy to help others will not only help you stay busy, but will also give you a sense of reward and purpose, making you feel better about yourself and your situation.  Find a volunteer activity that you're passionate about such as helping out at a homeless shelter or food kitchen, caring for or walking stray dogs, or volunteering at a senior's home.  Even doing something small for someone else, like letting someone go ahead of you in the line at the grocery store, can make you feel better. Acts of kindness increase your sense of well-being because they are concrete things that you can do, and not just think.
A: Talk to a friend. Go out and socialize. Spend time with a pet. Focus on others.

Q: Student violins are usually made from less expensive woods and are manufactured by machines rather than by hand. These are less expensive, typically ranging from $100 to $800 and are perfect for beginners. If you are just starting to take violin lessons, you may not want to invest in an expensive and high quality violin only to discover that this is not the instrument for you. Once you have been playing the violin for a few years and want to improve the overall quality and sound of your instrument, you should upgrade to an intermediate level violin. Some brands will not produce an intermediate level violin, but those that do price them around $1,000. Professional violins are hand-crafted by a master luthier and are made from high quality wood. These instruments can cost thousands of dollars and are ideal for professional musicians or art collectors. Traditional acoustic violins create warm and rounded tones as a result of the natural resonance of the tonewood. These instruments are best suited for classical and folk music. It is possible to attach an amplifier to an acoustic violin. If you only need an amp for some songs, it is best to stick with an acoustic violin. Electric violins have built in pickups that amplify the sound and produce a brighter and more raw sound than the acoustic violin. This is preferred if you are playing rock or jazz music. Consider the type of music you like. If you listen to rock music, you may be more inclined to  use an electric instrument that can create a rock sound. If you are just starting out with playing the violin, you may prefer renting prior to making an investment. In many instances, you can actually rent the violin to begin with and then eventually buy the violin. Your rent payments will go towards the purchase price.
A:
Buy a student violin if you are a beginner. Select an intermediate violin for improved quality. Choose a professional violin if you are an advanced violinist. Buy an acoustic violin to play classical and folk music. Get an electric violin to play rock and jazz music. Inquire about a rent-to-buy program.