We’ve all been there.
You’re having a somewhat heated conversation with someone about an issue of some sort, and while things may begin relatively calmly, after a while, the discussion takes an entirely new direction. Shortly thereafter, you’re dodging inanimate objects being launched at your from across the room.
This is a rather dramatic example, but I think you know what I’m getting at.
It is unfortunate that so many of us have experienced this type of scenario in one form or another, but because it is such a common occurrence, I thought it might be beneficial to discuss ways in which to diffuse, or deescalate a situation to prevent things from getting entirely chaotic and violent.
This is my own personal advice. In a perfect world, these recommendations would apply to every one, but this simply isn’t a realistic outlook. If they’re applicable to you and your life, wonderful. If not, I apologize for wasting your time.
- Avoid raising your voice or yelling. This can be difficult if the person you’re interacting with is screaming at you like a Banshee, and as tempting as it is to go bat shit crazy and begin bellowing obscenities at someone, it is not an effective way to communicate. Yelling will only prompt the other person to yell louder, and with the potential progression of such a scenario getting extreme, you may go deaf as a result.
- Try to remain objective. Making things personal, whether it be towards the person you’re arguing with or them projecting onto you, is a sure way to seriously hurt someone’s feelings. Stick to the matter at hand, and avoid dragging other personal elements into the equation.
- Don’t bring other, irrelevant problems into the actual problem you’re addressing. It makes sense while dabbling in an argument to bring attention to other issues that are specific to the person you’re arguing with, but it doesn’t help to pile on shit while working through it. Just don’t do it.
Do you have any tips for calming down a heated scenario?
ontheedgeofeverything 