timing is everything

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Dec 22, 2009

Suppose you had to reveal some embarrassing news: something that showed you in a very unfavorable light; something that would disappoint your friends. Let’s say you couldn’t keep this news quiet; it was bound to come out. But you could control the timing. You’d want to choose a day when people probably wouldn’t be paying much attention.

Of all the days in the calendar year, what would be the very best one for the release of an embarrassing news story? Probably Christmas Eve, don’t you think?

Or look at it another way: Suppose you were doing a great deed: something of which you were proud, something that you hoped people would notice. Again, let’s say that you could control the timing, to ensure maximum publicity, if that’s what you wanted. Would you do it on Christmas Eve?