How To Handle Insults
I just read a great story a salesman who used to be a boxer. Having boxed in my younger days and being one of the world’s best salesmen ( that’s a joke, son, as Foghorn Leghorn would say ), it seemed to be a story that would interest me.
The guy was better at getting sales jobs than he was at keeping them. Seems every time someone would insult him, he’d punch ‘em in the mouth. I’m liking him already.
It mattered not if it was a boss, coworker or customer.
I’ve gone out to do some fantastic selling, only to have my day ruined by some butthead who’s not loving his life like I do mine.
Customers, suppliers and coworkers have all said things to my 6′2″, 250 lb. freight train-like self and I’ve let it ruin my day. Mostly because I didn’t want to go to jail for stompin’ a mudhole where their butt used to be.
Now I’ve got a better way to handle this situation. And with all the insults that some bloggers seeem to want to direct towards other bloggers, maybe it’ll be a way for them to handle that situation, too.
Some people never learn that in a pissin’ match, both people get pissed on.
So what should you do if you’re in a conversation with someone and you think ( or know ) that they’ve just insulted you ?
Try this first - ignore them.
Is what they said as plain as the nose on David Feherty’s face ? Is it too bad to ignore ?
( The story linked above is worth your time to read all the way thru )
If so, try this - Look them in the eye long enough to break their poise. Staring is okay, no matter what your mother said.
Then ask them to repeat what they said. Say something along the lines of - ” Could you please repeat that. I seem to have misunderstood you. I thought, for a second there, that you insulted me by saying …. “
The chances are that they will immediately apologize and recant their stupid remark.
If not, then you can do whatever it is you feel is the proper way to handle it.
Maybe you could just turn the other cheek and walk away nicely 
Do you have any other solutions that would be worth trying ?
And can anyone tell me why bloggers have to comment on every action that other bloggers make ?
I’m especially sick of blog network owners always having to comment on other blog networks actions.
It’s really getting old.
We all have more than enough to do, so why add more work and waste energy making sillyass remarks about other networks or blogs.
Did I just do what I said I didn’t like ? I hope not.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Mike,
My blog network can beat up your blog network!:-)
Mark Horstman, of Manger-Tools.com, tells about the time he and a friend got on an elevator. The guy behind Mark was carrying an umbrella and kept inadvertenly poking Mark with it. After Mark and his friend got off on his floor, Mark said, “That guy made me so mad!” “No,” his friend replied, “he just poked you with the umbrella. You’re the one who made yourself mad.”
(Note to self:Remember this story that next time one of your kids does this to you.)
I really like your solution. I’m off to the full length mirror to practice “the stare” along with the verbiage.
Regards,
Glenn
That’s a suh-weet comment Glenn !
But my blog network is too suave to fight yours … we’ll pay someone else to do it !
“The Stare” works best if you can channel ‘The Rock’.
Or if you’re 6′2″ and 250 like me.
Google him if you’ve never watched ‘The Rock’ wrestle …. and don’t lie, we know you watch it !
Hi Mike,
This is going to be useful to me. My usual method is to pretend I didn’t understand what was said and just fade away.
Which doesn’t result in any fights (a good thing, I think) but it leaves me stewing for hours over what I should have said and “how dare they.”
Your way is better because it confronts the guilty but not in an agressive or weepy-pathetic way.
Thanks!
Hi Catherine,
Let’s just hope it doesn’t lead to you bullying people around with your newly found method of confrontation !
Just kiddin’.
Hope it helps you get past the situation a bit quicker and on to more productive things.
It’s that powerful stare that I’ve REALLY been thinking about.
I’ll become known as The Eye….
Only if you practice, practice, practice ….
I’m willing to practice. Here’s a start….
Darn! The img didn’t take.
Here’s the staring eye
Wow ! You ARE good ! And in such a short time. OMG !
You are a very good teacher!
Yeah ! That’s what I meant … I’m the man !
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