Occasionally when dealing with irrational people I have found it useful to match their energy level. So if they're yelling, you start raising your voice too. And you take whatever it is they're saying seriously . And if you have an objection, you state that objection. Then you continue the argument until the raised voices seem pointless and you both just calm down. I had to learn this technique when I was living with…
The CLARA Method of De-Escalation
71–76 of 76 posts
Re: The CLARA Method of De-Escalation
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
"irrational people" != people with "undiagnosed and untreated personality disorders" I just think it's important to iterate that. At the beginning of your comment it seems like you're offering a different general approach to the general approach given in the article.
Hmm. I didn't understand that they had such crosses to bear at the time. I just knew that they were acting irrationally. If they were rational, then remaining calm would have worked. It didn't, so I needed a different approach. I didn't work out until later that they had PDs and what that meant. Nobody can know that another person has a PD until a pattern of interactions makes it clear. Also, as you can see further d…
Re: The CLARA Method of De-Escalation
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
"irrational people" != people with "undiagnosed and untreated personality disorders" I just think it's important to iterate that. At the beginning of your comment it seems like you're offering a different general approach to the general approach given in the article.
Hmm. I didn't understand that they had such crosses to bear at the time. I just knew that they were acting irrationally. If they were rational, then remaining calm would have worked. It didn't, so I needed a different approach. I didn't work out until later that they had PDs and what that meant. Nobody can know that another person has a PD until a pattern of interactions makes it clear. Also, as you can see further d…
> remaining calm
is not always right. I know people who see 'being calm' in the face of anger or provocation as being apathetic -- somewhat lifeless and inhuman. Which enrages them.
Anger is a normal human emotion -- don't overdo it and don't underdo it.
This calibration might take most of your life.
Re: The CLARA Method of De-Escalation
#74Earlier quoted context omitted.
I’ve found, much to my chagrin, that anger seems to be a much better way to achieve what you want than being pleasant and diplomatic. Cases in point: ecommerce retailer offers next day shipping, but nothing arrives. I chase. “Oh it’s out of stock”. “It said in stock on your site... i’ll have X instead”. A week later, still nothing. “Oh it’s in the post”. A week later, still nothing, still “in the post”. I ask for a r…
I've found that contacting directors and explaining politely , but bluntly, why you are upset at the service their employees are providing, works wonders. No need to be rude.
Re: The CLARA Method of De-Escalation
#75Occasionally when dealing with irrational people I have found it useful to match their energy level. So if they're yelling, you start raising your voice too. And you take whatever it is they're saying seriously . And if you have an objection, you state that objection. Then you continue the argument until the raised voices seem pointless and you both just calm down. I had to learn this technique when I was living with…
Re: The CLARA Method of De-Escalation
#76Earlier quoted context omitted.
Hmm. I didn't understand that they had such crosses to bear at the time. I just knew that they were acting irrationally. If they were rational, then remaining calm would have worked. It didn't, so I needed a different approach. I didn't work out until later that they had PDs and what that meant. Nobody can know that another person has a PD until a pattern of interactions makes it clear. Also, as you can see further d…
Not that it applies to your case particularly but ... > remaining calm is not always right. I know people who see 'being calm' in the face of anger or provocation as being apathetic -- somewhat lifeless and inhuman. Which enrages them. Anger is a normal human emotion -- don't overdo it and don't underdo it. This calibration might take most of your life.