In my car on the phone (hands free, of course) with Hubs the other day, our conversation became a tad heated over a silly trivial topic. At one point, I thought to myself, "ain't dancin' this dance!" and pressed END CALL on my console.
(Hanging up on someone is the height of rudeness, right? Yet simply oh so effective to end an unwanted conversation or to get a person to PLEASE SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE.)
I waited a few beats, redialed Hubs, and pretended innocence. "Oops, lost ya on Sparks Road, Hubs!" ... because it was time to reset our tone and conversation ... calmer. It was no fun the other way.
Okay, yes, I told a white lie since I actually had hung up on him - well, only half a lie ... I was on Sparks Road. :D
I lowered my voice a few Italian octaves from the previous encounter - and started over. I also didn't continue on the topic we were in the middle of arguing. And the second time, our conversation went much smoother.
Snippeteers, at times while interacting with "our people," the talk may not fare so dandy. Heated words ... anger ... frustration ... irritation ... even insults. We have ALL been there with a myriad of people and in various relationships: coworkers, friends, spouses, neighbors, kids, and even strangers in the next car. Or on the phone (usually with Customer Service). :D
The next time you do not like the way a conversation is going ... STOP ... RESET. It may not require you to hang up on the person since you have the power to stop & reset at any time. Yet it might require a hang-up and immediate call-back (using the 'dropped call' on a country road excuse is perfect. Oops, did I just encourage you to lie?). Could be you walk into the next room to inhale a few breaths ... could be you interrupt the person and say aloud, "Wait, could we please start over?" Or on the phone, utter a quick, "Let me call you right back." Then do it.
Because we know if we keep the conversation going as is ... it will go as is - and that is, a big fat nowhere.
Stop. Reset. Continue talking and stay calm.
