The subtle art of keeping quiet and avoiding quarrels

Josh(customer at a restaurant): You are a loggerhead. I hate simpletons like you. Don’t you know how things are done around here? That’s a $1000 attire you just ruined.

Kol(Waiter): I am really sorry, Sir. I am. This would not happen again to anyone. And if possible, I will buy you the same suit after I am done with today’s shift.

Josh: You have got to be kidding me. How would you do that with your meager salary?

Kol: Don’t worry, Sir. I have saved enough over the years to buy you a $1000 suit. 

Josh: You are crazy. You don’t have to do that. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again. 

Now, this is how you avoid a conflict. A feeling of empathy along with a bunch of nice replies is all that you need to get you out of a troublesome situation. Let’s look at another conversation to help you get started.

My friend: The habit of not pondering upon your weaknesses is your Achilles hill. 

My reply to him: I would take your advice and start working on my weak areas.

My friend: I appreciate that.

What most people do in this case is justify that they don’t have any weaknesses and start questioning the other person. The best way to bring an end to such a conversation is to accept the fact that nobody is perfect. You should embrace your weaknesses with grace. If you have weaknesses, it is okay to express them unless you are in an interview where you will be judged if you ponder too much upon your weaknesses. I prefer being diplomatic to being straightforward in such cases. The best way to avoid an argument is to avoid prolonged conversation especially when the opinions differ. Sometimes stretching the conversation for the sake of proving one right will land one in deep water.

Sometimes you come across such people in life who claim to know everything. They are more commonly termed “Know-it-alls”. They see things from their perspective and regardless of what is right or wrong, they think that it’s only they who hold the power to decide what’s right or wrong. Moreover, they have this weird habit of vehemently forcing their opinions on others. Your opinions won’t matter to them. If you happen to meet one such shortly, it will be best for you if you withhold your beliefs and notions to yourself. In simple words, sometimes it is better to be quiet than to be shooting from the hip. 

My Inner-self: Don’t you think it would be better if you talk this through an example.

My Reply: Yeah. Do you have something in mind?

My Inner-Self: Of course, I do. I have a plethora of ideas one of such is this conversation between Rohan and Prashant.

Rohan: Can you tell me the speed with which the light travels?

Prashant: It is 3x10⁸ meters per second

Rohan: No, it is 299 792 458 meters per second

Prashant: But the former is used for calculations as it makes them easier.

Rohan: It doesn’t matter to me. The latter leads to more accurate results.

Prashant: …

Rohan: …

Prashant: …

Rohan: Do you think you are smarter than me?

Prashant: I was just justifying my point.

Rohan: I don’t need your justification. Whatever I say is to be considered right. 

Had I been at Prashant’s place, I would have stayed quiet. 

Note: Do not let the feeling of pomposity lead you to an undesirable outcome.