ways to calm yourself down while dealing with rude people?

Question

There are so many things that can easily upset us in life. A guy cuts you off while driving, a woman pushes you on purpose while shopping, or a store clerk won't serve you because she is busy talking on her cell phone--there's always something.

What are some of the ways to calm youself down so as NOT to get upset about these things? I am sick of reacting (e.g., honking the horn, calling her a b*tch, etc.)--is there anything I can do, in a classy manner, to move on and forget about these rude people? Or maybe reacting to them is the best solution...

Could you share some of your strategies? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

do what i do, just overlook their rudeness and just be thankful that you are not them. let things roll off your back more and you wont be as stressed with dealing with rude people and you wont regret anything you say. remember this : if you act like them, you are no better than them. stay smooth and calm and youll always be the better person with the better judgment. also, you dont know why people act the way they do. they could have just had their car towed, a death in the family, a break up, a child diagnosed with something or sick, anything can make a person act grumpy if something in their life turns upside down. so also take that to heart, you dont know what went on during the past day or so that has made that person the way they are when they get to you with their attitude.

Answer 2

Count to ten. It always worked for my granma, who works for the council and talks to people who are frequently upset about whatever it is that made hem call buildings insurance. Some people just start swearing, so my granma usually hangs up, but unless you're on the phone you can't really do that. Try walking away if you can.
Try just saying ' If you can't speak to me more reasonably, then I'll call the manager.' Then if they continue doing stuff like that, you HAVE to go to the manager, otherwise they just think all threats are empty threats.
If someone cuts you off while driving, beeping the horn is actually a good way to relieve stress. But what I do at night if I have had a really stressful day, I scream into my pillow of punch it. It usually helps and when I wake up the next morning I don't feel so stressed.

Hope that helps you!

Answer 3

I feel just like you do. I get hotheaded when I'm treated rudely. I find that it's true these people should be pitied. They are miserable with their jobs, or their life and take it out on others. I just kind of stare at them like they are nuts these days. It rattles them. In the car I still have a way too go, but I'm not the horn honker I once was. Recently I almost ran over some 13 year old brat and I beeped the horn so I wouldn't kill him. Then he gave me the finger. I rolled down my window and told him it was against the law to use profanity in the streets. In the old days I would have screamed at him. Now some day I'll be mature enough to just drive on, but I'm getting better.

Answer 4

We all have problems with moms, don't we...? :( Asian moms are hell, and I'm not kidding. My mom refers to my grades as 'our grades' and tells me 'we will have to try harder'. You are not alone. Honestly, if you are graduating, unless you really want to step in to help your siblings I would be quiet and good for a year. You have studies and melodrama isn't really a good thing for you right now. If your mom ever becomes a problem, though, TALK to her. Explain how you feel. If she sneers at you or doesn't listen, then back off and listen to her whenever possible. Try to get her help for her OCD and depression, or it will snap right back at you. To answer the question, 'Calm down' isn't that disrespectful if you mean it in a good way. I would be more like: 'Mom, take a break for a second; please listen to me', but either way works. It's never worth killing yourself when things are just about to get so much better! Look towards the future, don't think about the past and surround yourself with positive support. Get your friends to help you! Good luck! xx

Answer 5

I try to think of a reason why they are being rude. Here's an example. The man who cuts in front of you while driving may be in a hurry. He might have an emergency somewhere. The woman who pushes past you at the store may have other things on her mind like going over her mental shopping list so she doesn't forget anything and the store clerk who is on the phone has no excuse so let her have it!

Answer 6

It depends on the situation. You're already aware of "reacting" so that's a great step in the right direction.

Take a deep breath and ask yourself if there's a "lesson" in it for you? Particularly, if the same type of rudeness keeps bothering you. It is a "body" reaction and not a "spirit" reaction. I used to get bothered by having to stand in line for a long time to pay for highly overpriced food. It reminded me of slavery and being played for a fool. So I would consider the items I wanted to buy and ask myself if they were really worth the price of all that aggravation. Again, it is a personal thing and I wish you fun and good luck with it.

Answer 7

I will be honest about myself. My first impulse is to be rude back. And I can be very nasty.

However...since I am a Christian woman, I love Jesus and want to do follow His example. The verse I remember most is that Jesus, when confronted with false accusations, people slapping him, etc...."returned not evil for evil". I always regret when I give back rudeness in kind. I never regret holding my tongue and not returning rudeness. I often say a prayer for God to help me....I have so little control over my temper!

It isn't easy, but then....I prefer doing what isn't easy, but is right....to quickly responding with rudeness, and regretting it.

Answer 8

Take a deep breath..go somewhere quiet. in a way, its a form of yoga, but it really helps anxiety and stress!

And also tell yourself, you're a good person & you are not rude!

Answer 9

if you think of the word "love"....and understand the meaning behind it....would help you get thru this type of people, attitutes, and behaviours...1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says:"Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, 5 does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. 6 It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.
think and meditate on how this words can be applied in dealing with these type of things you are troubling with....I am not saying is easy,...but it can be done....with effort and patience....you will get there....but remember that this attitutes and behaviours were and are part of a prophesy...so we can't do much about...but we personally can do something to make a change in our way of treating with these people....
2 Timothy 3:1-17 says: " But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away." If you want more information please feel free to email me at [e-mail]

Answer 10

Rudeness comes from anger. Anger comes from fear. Just remember that.

If it's your anger that's at issue. You need to find the cause and resolve it.