Defusing a Difficult Encounter

Here are some of the ways that Psychology Today (June 2012) suggests you employ to defuse a difficult encounter:

"Keep it logical.  Communications should be fact-based with minimal details.  Don't try to connect and reason with difficult people.  Their response will often only make you more upset....

"Focus on them in conversation.  One way to avoid being the target of demeaning comments, manipulation, or having your words twisted is to say as little as possible.  They are a far safer subject of the conversation than you are....

"Don't try to get them to see your point of view.  Don't try to explain yourself or get them to empathize with you.  They won't.  And you'll just feel worse for trying."

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