Families, employers, friends, and even spouses are among the people with whom people frequently have love-hate relationships. They may appear to have the best intentions and be the loveliest individuals, yet they may say something so hurtful that you want to slam them with every epithet under the sun and react badly.
“When did you acquire so much weight?” and similar inquiries. or “Why haven’t you found a job yet?” or “When will you ever have another boyfriend?” may really get under your belt and, if you let it, severely inflame your temper. People frequently don’t consider their words before uttering them, which may be disastrous if the person they are speaking to (you) takes offense.
You have a right to defend yourself and speak your mind, but you can come up with a retort that allows you to express yourself while still being positive and polite.
It’s not always simple to respond politely to nasty individuals, especially if they sign your paychecks. The next time someone is unpleasant to you, think about these responses if you’ve been unsure how to respond to your mother-in-constant law’s complaining about your weight or your boss’s lack of regret when giving you more work to complete.
9 COMEBACKS FOR DEALING WITH RUDE PEOPLE
1. THANK YOU.
In situations where rudeness is present, a simple “thank you” can convey a lot. It not only demonstrates maturity on your part also demonstrates to the other person that you didn’t allow their remarks affect you. Instead of choosing to ignore them or becoming upset, you met both of those responses halfway. A “thank you” often denotes that you are acknowledging and reacting to someone’s thoughtfulness. However, in this situation, saying “thank you” will imply that you are aware of the rudeness and have made the decision to not let it bother you. When the other person learns that you weren’t moved by their statements, they will swiftly stop talking.
In every circumstance, you have the option to choose happiness. It will help you maintain a positive outlook and demonstrate to others that their insults cannot defeat you.
2. I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
This is not only a clever tactic, but it will also demonstrate to the other person that you are an adult and do not intend to speak on their level. When someone blurts out something insensitive, keep in mind that it reflects the other person’s unstable view of themselves. You don’t have to let them drag you down even if they might want to. Show them that you will only conduct the talk in a respectful and dignified manner. They could appreciate you more as a result of their thoughtful response. If it doesn’t, use the following advice to change your emphasis.
3. THIS CONVERSATION IS NOW OVER.
Simply terminate the conversation if you feel yourself too enraged to answer to someone in a polite manner. You don’t want to permanently sour a connection by losing your temper, but you also don’t want to degrade yourself by feigning acceptance of the other person’s remarks or inquiries.
You may maintain your dignity and avoid a potential all-out fight or heated disagreement by choosing to take the high road and end the conversation.
4. WHY DO YOU FEEL THAT WAS NECESSARY, AND DO YOU REALLY EXPECT ME TO ANSWER?
This will probably immediately put the other person in check, especially in group circumstances. Instead of encountering the anticipated indignant response from you, they will get a cool, collected, and composed you who is prepared to discuss the situation intelligently and properly. Additionally, it will provide them with an opportunity to make amends and apologize to you in front of your friends, family, or coworkers.
It is important for other individuals to understand that you will bring attention to their impolite behavior and that you will not accept unpleasant or unwarranted inquiries or comments. It’s easy to end the discussion if they answer “yes” to the second half of your inquiry by saying, “Well, it seems like today isn’t your fortunate day.”
5. THAT ALMOST HURT MY FEELINGS.
While a touch snarky, it communicates to the other person that you have made the decision not to take in their negative. Additionally, it handles nasty people in a mature manner, which will likely deter the other person from saying anything else after they understand their comments have no impact on you.
6. YOU’RE RIGHT.
Even though most individuals find it difficult to utter these two words, doing so will help you convince the other person that what they said was correct and will probably end the conversation. After this comeback, what else is there to say? You acknowledge that they are correct and then leave the conversation. This strategy may not give you as much happiness, but it will lessen the other person’s delight since they won’t get the rise out of you that they were hoping for.
7. YOU ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING NEGATIVE TO SAY, DON’T YOU?
They will reconsider the subjects of discussion they choose when you turn the focus back to them. You’ll push them to rethink what they say in the future in addition to correctly focusing on their own words.
It is never inappropriate or improper to speak out when someone engages in offensive behavior; if you feel the need to bring attention to someone’s behavior, then trust your instincts. Making them aware of their own poisonous conduct will actually help you and others in future interactions with this individual because the person’s negativity probably affects other people besides just you.
8. I LOVE MYSELF, AND I LOVE YOU, TOO.
This could only be relevant in specific circumstances involving your marriage, family, and acquaintances. Use it at your own risk; if you tell your boss, you could get a funny look or have your name taken off the payroll. This retort, however, had to be included on the list due to how well it dealt with nasty individuals. Positive attitudes always win out over negative ones; darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. The other person’s opinions rapidly lose relevance and strength when you tell them how much you love them and life. Your overwhelming enjoyment and zeal for life will be a far match for their gloomy disposition and pessimistic view of you, them, and life. Additionally, people aren’t accustomed to seeing such unfiltered emotion in others, so they’ll likely be too shocked to react appropriately.
Your comments have the power to increase everyone’s energy in a space and encourage more uplifting dialogue. With that, you can’t go wrong!
9. LAUGH
A disrespectful individual will undoubtedly be caught off guard by this response and feel ashamed for ever making the remark in the first place. For instance, you may merely chuckle if your aunt brought up your recent job loss at dinner again. It will convey the idea that you don’t let other people’s crude remarks impact your attitude or view on life and will make the present appear a bit less serious.