What do you tell someone if they keep criticizing everything you bring up in a conversation?
I knew someone would not talk without criticizing every thing that is mentioned, be it an artist, the health system, police, you get the idea ...
You cannot talk about fitness because "meatheads are stupid", every TV show has something wrong, no celeb can be mentioned. He will find the wrong in everything.
I am not kidding.
Holding a conversation with this person is HIGHLY AGGRAVATING.
2007-01-25 17:24:01 · 14 answers · asked by Olga 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
If you can avoid having a conversation with this person, do so....that is a sure sign of someone who is miserable and unhappy with himself, and cannot find any good in anyone or anything.....You can try and tell them that you are really getting upset over this constant negativity, I know I did.
2007-01-25 17:30:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you're not having a conversation with this person but a DEBATE. Look at it this way... it takes two... don't give them fuel... don't talk to them at all.
I'll share my experience with just such a person... a co-worker. I would just look at the person and say nothing or politely let them know I was going to get back to work. After some time of this he actually asked me if I disliked him because I would not talk with him anymore. I took the opportunity to tell him the truth... that I just could not bear all the negativity he brought out and I perferred more uplifting and insiteful dialog. I gave him the old "sometimes if you don't have anything good to say... just don't say anything at all". Surprise, surprise... he actually heard me and apologized saying he was very unaware of what he was always doing. He even thanked me for my honesty with him. Poor thing, though, after that he struggled with what to talk about.. but I did notice he was absolutely trying to find a balance in his opinions.
2007-01-25 18:42:45 · answer #2 · answered by wonderful1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People who criticize are usually very unhappy and have had many disappointments in their lives. They just look at everything negatively. There is nothing you can say or do to help these kind of cynical people. The best thing to do is cut your time short with them whenever they start to do this. Eventually they will recognize that every-time they become critical you leave so they might start trying to say less critical things in order to get you to stay longer.
2007-01-25 18:23:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a lot of people on Yahoo answers! Anyway, the only real way to make someone like that stop is to not give them the benefit of arguing. If you come up with some general answer to every argument or criticism they make, they will eventually get bored with you and stop trying to argue with you. For example, if you start talking about something and they start into their thats stupid and here is why tirade, just say, well, thats your opinion and drop it. If they continue, just repeat it. After about a dozen or so of these conversations, the person will start to ask stupid things like, are you mad at me? why are you mad at me? Then you can tell them the truth. Of course, they will try to argue and say thats not true, then you simply repeat, well, thats your opinion. If they dont get the hint by then, just resort to ignoring them.
2007-01-25 17:35:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
When they criticize, ask them why...why do you say that, why do you believe that, and ask them to substantiate their claims, or back up their assertions.
If they are criticizing you just for fun times, or because they are jealous, you should cut ties with the person.
If they are criticizing you because they honestly disagree with what you believe, the two of you should have a good discussion,and you can offer your opinions as well; agree to disagree if necessary.
I criticize people a lot ONLY (I actually wouldnt call it criticising, but pointing out where they went wrong) - IF they say something wrong or ignorant, or if their information is seriously misguided.
2007-01-25 17:33:33 · answer #5 · answered by Wooters 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Wait for him to bring up the topic. Go silent when he criticizes and let him pick up the conversation direction. It's easier than a power struggle, and will gently show him what he's doing, in case he's just going through a hard time.
2007-01-25 22:33:58 · answer #6 · answered by kathryn3 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a BIG sign of insecurity. People that have to criticize everything, well you the VERY old saying, You cut things down to make yourself look bigger. Since this person is very annoying, just don't really have a conversation with him. He is not worth ruining your day over.
2007-01-25 19:17:29 · answer #7 · answered by tnbadbunny 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I ignore people like that. They are usually not worth a bother. On the other hand, most tele shows are horrid in my opinion. I do not, however, find wrong in everything. That, to me is the behaviour of a Prat of the highest order!
--That Cheeky Lad
2007-01-25 20:11:21 · answer #8 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would have to ask myself, 'how important is it to have a conversation with this person?'.
If you can't avoid a conversation, I would just say to them that "I'm sorry you feel that way" or ask them who isn't stupid.
2007-01-25 17:33:56 · answer #9 · answered by Elke 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know if you can cut ties from this person these are called energy sucking leeches. They are negative and they drain all your energy just listening to them.
2007-01-25 17:29:11 · answer #10 · answered by lolita 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋