h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It really is a bad pun, but it means being Especially Really Nice Except at Specific Times. The general gist is that stress makes us especially mean and prone to outburst at times. Applying ERNEST theory makes life a whole lot better for all of us. These are:

1) Make your best efforts to be nice to people
2) Do NOT apply undue sarcasm, cynicism or general meanness
3) Try your best not to look glum

Now, I know what you're thinking. If you went around being happy all day, you would burst like a baloon filled with cringe gas. But the most important part of ERNEST is the last two letters. ST: Special Times. These are times you must devote to a stress releaving activity, whatever keeps you calm and makes you feel better. As I may have already mentioned, my personal preference is playing the guitar.

Hopefully applying these rules will make you and pthers around you feel better in times of stress. This is by no means a life philosophy. Remember the baloon of cringe gas? Exactly. This is just something to help you get through the crappy times.

Remember, it's nice to be helpful
Trilly

I agree completely with what you're saying. If everyone was happy, then, erm....everybody would be...er...happy...

You know what I mean

I'm a follower of the BCSTBHEWDWBBTOWWYCSASABYHABWACATT (Be Careful, Strive To Be Happy, Except When Dealing With Banks, British Telecom or Windows 95 When You Can Scream And Shout And Bang Your Head Against Brick Walls And Cry And Throw Tantrums) philosophy myself, so I can totally understand where you're coming from.