“When someone is rude, keep a smile on your face. When you stay on the high road and keep your joy, you take away their power.” – Joel Osteen
People try to make many relationships with their families, bosses, and friends and also with their spouses. They can be very good people to you, but if they come up with an unnecessary question which will make you offensive and makes you want to call them every name under the sun and react negatively. They may ask you questions like “When did you gain so much weight?” or “When will you ever get another boyfriend?” or “Why haven’t you found a job yet?” these questions can hit you below the belt and really set off your temper, if you let them. Rude people will never think before they talk, they will say whatever they have to say. This can even lead to a disaster if you get offended.
You can always fight for your self-respect and speak your mind, but you have to sort this in a very polite and positive manner that won’t lead the conflict further.
It won’t be easy to find the right comeback to deal with rude people and you must never do that if he/she is the person that signs your paychecks. And if you have been wondering how to handle your mother-in-law who can’t seem to keep her mouth shut about your weight, or your boss who shows no remorse when he gives you extra work to do, consider these comebacks the next time you encounter rudeness.
9 COMEBACKS FOR DEALING WITH RUDE PEOPLE
- THANK YOU.
A simple “thank you” speaks volumes when you encounter rudeness. This will surely reflect maturity on your part and will show the other person that you didn’t let their words affect you. You have chosen here not to be angry or ignore the person. But you have met both of those tactics somewhere in the middle. A “thank you” will always show that you have acknowledged someone’s thoughtfulness and you are responding to that. This can shut the other person immediately and when they have realized it, it’s too late.
- I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
This can be a very intelligent approach and it will also show the person that you only wish to communicate in an adult manner and you don’t like to stoop to their level. Whenever someone blurts out something tactless, then surely it shows the other person’s shaky perception of themselves. They may try to bring you down doing anything and you may not let them to be successful. You have to show them that you want to continue the conversation with respect and dignity. Sometime, they will start to respect you more by reacting in such a manner. If this doesn’t work, you can always go with this next tip.
- THIS CONVERSATION IS NOW OVER.
If you are getting too angry to respond the other person in a civil way, you can simply end the conversation. It’s better to stay cool rather than causing some permanent damage to a relationship, but you also don’t want to disrespect yourself by pretending with whatever they ask from you. You must try to keep your dignity while skipping a potential all-our brawl or heated argument.
- WHY DO YOU FEEL THAT WAS NECESSARY, AND DO YOU REALLY EXPECT ME TO ANSWER?
Instead of getting the expected response out of you, they will meet a calm, cool and collected you, ready to talk things over sensibly and decently. Also, it will give them a chance to redeem themselves, and apologize to you in front of your friends, family or co-workers. They must always know that you are not ready for any rude behaviors and you won’t answer unnecessary questions. If they don’t react in a good way, you can always be done with the conversation.
- THAT ALMOST HURT MY FEELINGS.
While this is a humorous side, it tells the other person that you choose not to absorb their negativity. It also deals with rude people in a mature way, and will probably discourage the other person from making any other remarks once they realize you aren’t affected by them.
- YOU’RE RIGHT.
Most people find hard to say these two words. It will benefit you to make the other person believe that they were in the right in what they said, and will likely cause the conversation to be cut short. While you might not get much satisfaction by using this tactic, it will put a damper on the other person’s enjoyment since they won’t get a rise out of you, which is what they were after in the first place.
- YOU ALWAYS HAVE SOMETHING NEGATIVE TO SAY, DON’T YOU?
This will take your attention away from them and back to them, this will lead them to think twice about their choice of conversation topics. You should draw their focus onto their own words and make sure you make them reconsider what they say in the future. You must listen to your gut, if it said you that you have to draw attention to someone’s behavior then you have to do it.
- I LOVE MYSELF, AND I LOVE YOU, TOO.
This may only apply in certain situations with friends, family, and your spouse. If you do this with your boss, then surely you will get your name removed or you will get a strange look from your boss. This comeback has to be an appearance on the list because of its effectiveness at shutting down rude people. When you express the other person, that how much you love life and others, their comments become irrelevant and lose power quickly. Their sour mood and bleak outlook on themselves, you, and life will not be a match for your extreme happiness and zest for life. People also aren’t used to such raw emotion from others, and will probably be too surprised to formulate a proper response.
- LAUGH
This reaction can embarrass a person for sure and even by making the comment at first place. For example, if your aunt talks about your job loss at dinner again and just laugh. This will definitely show the present moment as a serious one and will send a message that you don’t let other person rude comments affect your mood or outlook on life.
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