How to Handle Inappropriate Comments

What do you do when an acquaintance or coworker makes an inappropriate or off color remark? If you want to avoid a full blown confrontation, this article provides you with some practical ways to respond.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience
• Self-respect
• Desire to avoid confrontation

1. Remain calm. While the remark may immediately strike you as offensive or inappropriate, consider the source. Is this a person who is normally antagonistic, if so this is just par for the course, ignore it.

2. Repeat the remark back to the person. "Did you really mean to say you like my ass in these jeans, Bob?" Reiterating the comment to the person will cause them to face how their comment sounded to you. It will also cause them shame.

3. Be direct, but do not react emotionally. Say something like, "I really do not feel comfortable discussing this with you." Or, "This is not the appropriate place to discuss such matters."

4. Be polite, but not submissive. Shutting down someone who makes inappropriate comments is more effective when done with civility. This will show the person that you are taking the higher ground and that you will not tolerate, or in engage, vulgar or inappropriate language.

Tips & Warnings

• If the person continues to make inappropriate comments avoid being around them and make it clear that their distasteful behavior is why you are doing so.
• Do not engage in a verbal or physical confrontation.

[phoebesviolets]

on 7/16/2009
Tips & Warnings

*
If the person continues to make inappropriate comments avoid being around them and make it clear that their distasteful behavior is why you are doing so.
*
Do not engage in a verbal or physical confrontation.