Assertive, not aggressive, best for rude folks
Posted on Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Was your idiot brother-in-law off on another political rant at Thanksgiving ?
Did “sweet” grandmother comment on your weight as she handed you a piece of pumpkin pie ?
And, finally, did someone steal your parking space at the mall ?
It seems everyone might need some mannerly advice. So we talked to P. M. Forni, author of The Civility Solution: What to Do When People Are Rude. The Johns Hopkins University professor of Italian literature is also the author of Choosing Civility and founder of the Civility Initiative.
Q: The end of the year seems to be rife with rudeness. How come ?
A: Because we are stressed. We have expectations of the season that very often don’t pan out. This year at family reunions there could be the added stress of the economy and politics.
Q: How do you respond to rude people, especially if they’re family members ?
A: The key is to prepare for a situation. Prepare your response. If your uncle says, “Here we have our resident liberal whose candidate won the election,” your response might be: “I wonder how you determined how I voted. I don’t remember disclosing that with you.” Be assertive — or they will repeat that behavior — but not aggressive. Handle it with as much detachment as possible.
Q: Do rude people know they’re rude ?
A: About 75 percent to 85 percent of Americans think that Americans are rude. But when you ask one American, “Do you think you’re rude ?” in 99 cases he will say, “No I’m not rude.” Very rarely do we see ourselves as part of the problem.
Q: I was in a store recently where there was a sale on jewelry. A customer was hovering over the sale box at the counter, and when I tried to look into it, she swatted me away with her hand. I was stunned. What could I have said ?
A: “Ma’am, if I inadvertently got too close, you could have told me instead of pushing me back.” That is being assertive, not aggressive.
Q: And what should I say to the guy who steals my parking space ?
A: “I had been waiting for that spot with my turn signal on for quite some time. I would appreciate it if you let me have it.” If the driver responds dismissively or aggressively, just say, “I am sorry you are not choosing to do the right thing. I just hope you think about it so the next time you will,” and walk away.
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