serveria.com
Member
**
Offline Offline

Activity: 490
Merit: 78

Balls of steel


View Profile Personal Message (Offline)

Ignore
March 10, 2019, 12:53:24 AM

Hey Lambie,

Here's some pro advice on how to deal with JJG (it seems he's got an ODD):

It's a personality issue that even has a fancy name: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). People who have this can be the most incredibly annoying people in the world. I've had my share of having to deal with them. I've found that the best strategy is this:

* Watch for a repeating pattern in the argument. There's always going to be one, because the number of points to be made on any topic is finite and usually quite small. As soon as you notice that you're going back over points already made, stop the conversation and say, "Ok, we've discussed this already and now we're going around in circles. Let's just agree to disagree." Needless to say, they won't agree with that. But you've made your position clear; you're now free to walk away with honour and leave them talking to themselves.
 
* If they don't let you walk away, you have to pull the big guns: "Look, I've already made it clear that I don't want to discuss this any more. This is the last time I'll ask you to stop politely."

* Your strategy of simply remaining silent is ineffective, because they think it means you're listening receptively to their wisdom and just keep on yakking until you quietly go out of your mind.

Hope it helps!  Cool