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Insult: "I can't read these confusing reports." |
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Response: "Should I help you with the terminologywhich acronyms don't you understand?" |
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Insult: "Do you think we can go back to management and get more money just 'cuz Simon says?" |
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Response: "I never thought of that. Do you really want to try to play games with them?" |
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Tip 838: Prepare a comeback. |
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The comeback can be serious, humorous, or insulting in return. The choice is yours, depending on what you want as an outcome. If you want to keep the relationship intact and want the barbs to end, be serious in your response. If you want to prove that you can take it and ruffle some feathers yourself, try light humor. If you want to kill the adversary and embroil yourself in an ongoing battle, go for the brutal barb. |
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Timing and tone may make the difference in each case. Examples: "Do you treat everybody like this, or am I just a favorite?" "I know what's bothering youbut your secret is safe with me." "You go for the kill, don't you?" "You're charming." ''Everybody can't afford to go to finishing school." "Bad hair day, huh?" "I bet you go home and kick your dog, too." |
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Tip 839: Prepare gossip stoppers. |
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If the shared gossip insults someone else and you don't want to play a role in it, stop the conversation with one of these lines; vary your tone with your purpose: "I'm surprised to hear you say thatJanice always has such nice things to say about you." "Frankly, I'm puzzled. I've never known you to pass on rumors that haven't been checked out." "I really don't pay much attention to the grapevinethings get so twisted. Don't you agree?" "That story has probably gone through so many tellings that I bet half the details are missing." "Really? I think I'll mention that to Cindy so she'll know to set the record straight." |
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Tip 840: Level about how the insult makes you feel. |
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Tell the other person that the constant sarcasm, jokes, or grumbling has gotten out of hand. Be as direct as you can: "That remark is insulting." "Why do you enjoy hurting my feelings?" "Remarks like that embarrass me in front of customers; it sounds as though you think I'm incompetent at my job." "I feel very angry when you make jokes about X." "Did you mean to insult me? Are you aware that you did?" |
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