What should you do when someone insults you?

More generally, if you respect the person who has insulted you, you ought, instead of getting angry or upset, to give thought to the insult and learn as much as you can from it.

When is an insult not an insult but a fact?

If the insult is true or largely true, the person it came from is reasonable, and his or her motive is worthy, then the insult is not an insult but a statement of fact, and, moreover, one that could be very helpful to us.

Is it OK to return an insult?

Returning the insult also risks injuring the insulter (who, in all probability, is fairly fragile) and inviting further attacks. The witty put-down does have a place, but only among friends, and only to add to the merriment. And it ought to be followed by a token of reconciliation such as a toast or a pat on the shoulder.

What are the effects of insults and put-downs?

Insults and put-downs can damage our prospects and happiness by undermining our self-confidence and self-esteem. Even causal denigration (so called microaggressions) can, over time, lead to feelings of isolation, alienation, anger, anxiety, and depression. Insults can be physical, such as punching, slapping, or spitting.

Why do people insult each other in verbal communication?

In a verbal society, such as the human one, physical aggression is less often used to settle issues of status: These are mostly deferred to verbal interactions. An insult can thus be interpreted as an attempt to reduce the social status of the recipient and raise the relative status of the insulter.

Why do people mock you or insult you?

Say, for example, you have a sibling who is insecure about how she looks. She might end up you know insulting you about the way you look or about the way you dress or simply about the way you score at school. The second reason why someone would mock you or insult you is because they are jealous of you.

What are the characteristics of an insult?

Otherwise, the content of insults across the ages is monotonously predictable: Many insults feature a sexual component, refer to sexual organs, or bring up shameful or ineffectual sexual behavior.

Is angryanger a good response to insults?

Anger is a weak response, and this for three main reasons: It shows that we take the insult, and therefore the insulter, seriously. It suggests that there may be some truth in the insult. It upsets and destabilizes us, which, apart from being unpleasant, can invite further insults.

When to speak up and when to stay silent?

Well, here are some valuable tips to know when to stay silent and when to speak up. Staying silent can be just as powerful as the words you mean to say, like when the act of hugging will be more comforting than saying, “Sorry for your loss.” Another time when silence is golden is when you are unsure of what to say.

When is it better to stay quiet about your feelings?

If you are confused about your own feelings concerning a matter, it’s best to stay quiet until you are more certain because more harm can be done by revealing false or exaggerated feelings. Choose silence instead of blurting out ‘in-the-moment’ feelings that are hurtful and not really how you feel in the grand scheme of things.

Should you confront a difficult person?

Not all difficult individuals we face require direct confrontation about their behavior. Some people are simply not worth tussling with. Your time is valuable, so unless there’s something important at stake, don’t waste it by trying to change or convince a person who’s negatively entrenched.