BackWho you’re talking to dictates what you say. Review our Communication Styles if you haven’t already. And remember: These examples show communication skills, and do not indicate correct or incorrect viewpoints.
Choose the communication style of the person you’re speaking to:
If you hear them say…
“You probably think that Trump never paid for an abortion.”
👍 Try this…
“I don’t recall mentioning Trump. Shall we continue the conversation?”
- This “deflect and keep going” approach tends to stop the Sniper. Point out what the Sniper is doing without responding directly.
👎 Avoid this…
“How do you know what I think about Trump or anyone else?”
- You took the bait.
If you hear them say…
“What does the family’s Super Feminist think about what the Supreme Court did to Roe v. Wade?”
👍 Try this…
“I prefer the title Super Woman to Super Feminist. And we were talking about the upcoming election, so let’s stay with that.”
- Exaggerate and return to the conversation.
👎 Avoid this…
“I’m proud of being a feminist and I hate what the Court did to abortion rights.”
- Don't respond as if the Sniper is asking a real question. That’s taking the bait.
If you hear them say…
“It’s not your place to police people’s bodies.”
👍 Try this…
“The only thing I’m policing is whether Mom is going to under-bake the pie again.”
- Use humor to diffuse the conversation and try to change the subject. Offer to have a more serious conversation one-on-one.
👎 Avoid this…
“It’s not your place to police my views.”
- Don’t fire back. Now you’ve taken the Sniper’s bait.
Additional communication styles...