Quote:
Originally Posted by shakespeare47
I have no specific conversation in mind.
Imagine these 2 conversations.
Conversation A (subjective)
Me: I noticed that these strawberries are sweeter than the ones we had yesterday. [imagine that we both ate the strawberries yesterday and today]
The Other: No they aren't. [scoffs] You're wrong.
Conversation B (factual)
Me: I noticed that Alaska is more than twice as big as Texas.
The Other: No it isn't. [scoffs] You're wrong.
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The Other's comments are non-productive.
You have two choices - you can either "enter the dance" by reasoning with him, or focusing on The Other's flaw of scoffing you, stand for yourself and let
yourself guide how the conversation should go.
Instead of reasoning with him, how about saying something like "ok, if you have something useful to add then I'd love to hear". Doing so leaves the ball at his hand, and you instruct him with choices made by you.
If he contributes, you can get along with the conversation naturally. If he continues to scoff or speak negatively, speak of your personal needs such as "I prefer you tell me what you know rather than what I don't know".