How do you deal with know-it-alls?

Page 1 of 1 [ 6 posts ]

Luey
Hummingbird

Joined: 3 Apr 2014
Age: 36
Gender: Female
Posts: 20

09 May 2014, 5:25 pm

I've encountered people like that before, but I usually just stay quiet. I would love to learn how to handle this for the future when I'm stuck in one on one conversations.

Without coming across as defensive, how do you respond to people (especially communication via text where tone is difficult) that always have to be right, in particular those that give you a slight attitude and/or fight you on it?

SammichEater
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 6 Mar 2011
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,903

09 May 2014, 5:40 pm

Sarcasm.

Sarcasm is the only way to deal with that sort of behavior. It works wonders.

_________________
Remember, all atrocities begin in a sensible place.

tarantella64
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 16 Feb 2011
Age: 62
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,850

09 May 2014, 5:50 pm

Luey wrote:

You glance at your watch/clock/phone and say, "Scuse me, I must run. Nice talking to you." And leave. If via text/email, just stop responding. You can always apologize later if necessary and say you got called away or something needed your attention.

Luey
Hummingbird

Joined: 3 Apr 2014
Age: 36
Gender: Female
Posts: 20

09 May 2014, 6:17 pm

SammichEater wrote:

Sarcasm.

Sarcasm is the only way to deal with that sort of behavior. It works wonders.

Haha oh man. I'm half half on sarcasm. I like it, though I encounter a lot of people that can't properly read it (I don't leave the house, so I tend to communicate purely via text). I had one person blow up on me because they took everything I said personally.

My friend is great with sarcastic remarks without coming across as a douchebag in these sort of situations, but when I try, I often can't find my words and realize I come across as mean or defensive (I can see it but I can't mimic it).

tarantella64 wrote:

Those are great for professional situations like at work. In particular though, I am hoping to learn ways to handle the situation without avoidant behavior.

cberg
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 31 Dec 2011
Gender: Male
Posts: 12,183
Location: A swiftly tilting planet

09 May 2014, 9:16 pm

I usually point out the malware burning up the laptop behind them or just do more homework and out know-it-all the next know-it-all, because I know-it-much :idea: The concept of know it all is a self-demeaning contraction.

_________________
"Standing on a well-chilled cinder, we see the fading of the suns, and try to recall the vanished brilliance of the origin of the worlds."
-Georges Lemaitre
"I fly through hyperspace, in my green computer interface"
-Gem Tos :mrgreen: