| That's right, i'm letting some of my secrets out! (And lots of others peoples, too! Mwahah!) Here you will find different ways to win an argument, and some of the devious tactics i've used in the past to get my way. Remember ladies, only use your power for the good! Ok, not really. Shoo, your trying to take my argument mojo away?? That doesn't leave me much you know. Soooo selfish these days. Well you get basic argument facts, love them or leave them. *Grumbles* |
| This being the worst of arguments, of course, because so many emotions are involved. And usually by the time you're arguing, the emotions are raging too. So.. follow the mighty Moboshabee's words of wisdom, and peace you may (Or may not, I have no hand in this dammit!) regain. AVOID - Criticism - "You're a nasty, heartless, disgusting bitch (and/or) ass!" And as much fun as this truly is, it only makes matters worse. Breaks bones 'n stuff too. Contempt - "I was always hoping i'd get a chance to use that baseball bat..." This isn't going to help your case... they already know your pissed, no point in exaggerating it. Defensiveness - "It wasn't me!" *Dons a shield* Going on the defense may make your partner assume your guilty. The Cancer Shell Syndrome - My own personal favorite. We cancers like to crawl inside our little shells and hide, rather than dealing with it. This also is a no-no. Keep the Peace! - Use Humor to break tension. - This does not include just what you think is funny, make sure you would both enjoy it. ~If your partner doesn't enjoy Jerry Springer, telling them they should make a guest apperance isn't an ideal humor type. Express Affection. - Personally, this would piss me off more, and my partner would be rewarded with a nice shmack. But some people would appreciate the touch, it points out that while your angry, you still care! Acknowledge your Partners point of view. - For me this could consist of, "Yes, Dear, I know YOU think you are right about XX. You aren't though." Two things to remember. - While I know it is very easy to say things that "you don't mean" when you are angry, do your best to avoid that. Self control is key there. It is important to build and maintain a friendship in your relationship and that you give your partner the benefit of the doubt when times are tough. You have a choice of either saying something that will nurture or chip your relationship every time, so think before you speak, moron. |
| How to Argue with your oh-so-lovely significant other. |
| I suck at arguing. If you sat me in one of those panels, after ten minutes or so, i'd probably start crying. So here are a few alternative techniques, that occasionaly I can get away with. 1. Drink. Alcohol. A lot of it. You have heard of beer muscles. Brain muscles add a whole new twist to the game! While your opponents are busy fumbling for their words, yours just can't come out fast enough! If it all, but by then, who cares? And what the hell were we talking about? Ahh hell, whatever, have another drink buddeeee! Dammit, drink up you wussy! There you go! Have another one! Yes! YES! ....Did I ever tell you how much you mean to me? No, really? NO REALLY! YOU are everything to me!!!! C'Mon gimmie a hug. C'MOoooOON! 2. When in doubt, Pretend. This is not lying, because your doing it only for the sake of argument. See how nice that is? You're deciding whether or not anthropology is necessary, versus psychiatry. After all, anthropolgy deals with studying humans, and who the hell wants to know about humans? We have to deal with enough of them daily, to really have a desire to spend more time learning about them. Ooops! Sorry, /bitch off. Anyway, you don't even know the definition of anthropology. But does you opponent know the meaning of cualiplasty? Or ferdistism? No. Cause they aren't words. Well, welcome to the world of your very own vocabulary! Yes, you too, can randomly put smal words together to make big ones, and if you do it just right, you sound like you know what you're talking about! Fabulous, isn't it? I suggest practicing in front of a mirror first. You know, make sure the words look right when they're spewing out. 3. Use meaningless but weightly-sounding words and phrases. You really aren't familiar with the pharsit theory, are you? Well, Let me put it this way... In terms of the Beverang alliance, you are correct. But this isn't the Beverang alliance! Per se you are correct on that point, what does it have to do with this argument? We were discussing your anthropology views,as it were. So to speak you're not a moron, but who's the final judge of that? 4. Use snappy and irrelevant comebacks. You need an arsenal of all-purpose irrelevent phrases to fire back at your opponents when they make valid points. The best are: You're begging the question. You're being defensive. Don't compare apples and oranges. What are your parameters? This last one is especially valuable. Nobody, other than mathematicians, has the vaguest idea what "parameters" means. Here's how to use your comebacks: You say As Abraham Lincoln said in 1873... Your opponents says Lincoln died in 1865. You say Your begging the question. OR You say Liberians, like most Asians... Your opponents says Liberia is in Africa. You say You're being defensive. * Compare your opponent to Adolf Hitler. This is your heavy artillery, for when your opponent is obviously right and you are spectacularly wrong. Bring Hitler up subtly. Say: "That sounds suspiciously like something Adolf Hitler might say" or "You certainly do remind me of Adolf Hitler." Between my queer interpretations and the person who wrote most of this section, you are no doubt able to win every time you're in over your head! |
| Really like arguing, or want to try those new skills out? Click HERE! |
| Welcome the Disagreement. The other person may have a perspective you haven’t considered, so be thankful for it. Maybe this is your chance to be corrected before making a mistake. Distrust Your First Inclination to Defend Yourself. Defensiveness is often a natural reaction. But be careful—when you justify yourself, it’s hard to change your position later. Plus, you’ll miss the benefit of the other person’s ideas. Control Your Temper. Getting angry always makes communication harder, not easier. So simmer down before you blow your top. Listen First. Give your "opponent" a chance to talk. Don’t defend or debate. Build bridges of understanding, not barriers of misunderstanding. Look for Areas of Agreement. Dwell on areas where you agree. This establishes common ground, helping you find a solution good for both of you. Be Honest. Look for areas where you can admit error, then do it. This disarms others and reduces their defensiveness. Promise to Think Over Their Ideas. Tell the person that you will consider his point of view, and actually do it. He may be right, after all. Thank Them Sincerely for Their Desire to Help. Most people who take time to disagree with you are interested in positive results, the same as you are. Welcome that. Postpone Action So You Both Can Think Through the Problem. If need be, suggest another meeting. To prepare, ask yourself some hard questions about your "side," and focus on a mutually beneficial solution. Be Willing to Agree to Disagree. Sometimes you may need to accept your difference of opinion and move on. Be flexible whenever possible. Follow Thomas Jefferson’s advice: "In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current Revamp. Now then, wasn't that easy? Of course the sure fire way to avoid arguments, in the first place, is to just STFU. |
| General Argument |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |