How to Handle an Enemy

Dealing with an enemy isn't always easy.

During your life, you are going to meet a lot of people. Not all of these people are going to like you. Indeed, if you're particularly unlucky some are going hate you.In movies, people deal with these people by confronting them and battling them in one way or another. However, in real life you need to be a little more subtle and mature. When you're dealing with an enemy, you need to reduce his influence in your life while also keeping drama to a minimum.

Instructions

1. Remove your enemy from your life or give her less access to it. It's not always possible to completely remove people, but if you stop calling your enemy back and generally stop making contact with her you will see her less and therefore have fewer of her negative influences in your life.

2. Stop enabling your enemy. People will only do what they are allowed to get away with. If you make a firm consequence for your enemy's action, you will be making it clear that his behavior is not acceptable. If you pull him aside and tell him not to carry out his negative behavior anymore, he won't be able to use ignorance as an excuse.

3. Be polite. This doesn't mean you should be a pushover, but it does mean you should always take the higher ground. When you're telling your enemy how you feel, be clear and direct without raising your voice or swearing. This will keep your enemy from having ammunition to use against you in future conflicts.

4. Use non-combative language when dealing with your enemy. Say "could" instead of "should" and address "situations" instead of "problems." The less you give your enemy to work with, the more likely he is to clean up his act or leave you alone.

References

• "How People Tick: A Guide to Difficult People and How to Handle Them; Mike Leibling; 2005