Have you ever been insulted by somebody, even by a passive-aggressive side jab, and not known how to react? Perhaps you just laughed it off, smiled along, and allowed the insulter to pretty much just get away with making you look small in front of others?
Well, there’s a better way. A classically masculine gentlemen handles insults in a calm manner that effectively turns the insult back around to the insulter. This technique is actually very, very simple to follow and involves only the following few steps.
- Stare directly into the eyes of the insulter with a complete deadpan look on your face.
- Pause for 2 to 4 seconds.
- Ask the insulter, in a calm and slow voice, “Do you mind saying that again?” or “What do you mean by that? I’d like you to explain.”
- Pause, with the deadpan stare and eyes locked, and just wait.
One of two things will happen; either the insulter will just change the subject or otherwise attempt to divert attention away from him- or herself, or they will take an attempt at answering your question. The latter scenario is far more probable.
If he or she chooses to answer your question, continue to lock your eyes on the subject and carry on the conversation with the stare and without any expression. At this stage you will have the upper hand and it’s likely that the subject will just pretend it was all a joke.
Whatever you do, do not let the insulter get a rise out of you – that’s exactly what he or she expects from you. Stay calm. Stay composed. You will prevail.
