What's Your Problem?
The only thing that's making you hesitate is the thought of being found out.
Q. I work for a marketing company, and a long-time client has asked me whether I'd be interested in doing some freelance work on the side.
I am tempted because they will pay me well (I could really do with the money), and it could be an interesting project. But if I take it, I'm worried that my manager will find out. Strictly speaking, I'm not meant to do any work like this and I'm afraid that I could be sacked for it. Should I take it?
A It's interesting the way we use the phrase 'strictly speaking'. 'Strictly speaking, I've given up desserts.' 'Strictly speaking, it's my turn to do the school run.' And what we actually mean is, just this once, we'll cry off the school run and have a bit of Black Forest gateau.
