When it comes to dealing with an angry person, most of us consider the task to be very difficult. Anger makes people forget reasoning and logic and they get into a different zone altogether. You can encounter angry people while sitting at the dining room table, going about your work, shopping at a mall or on your drive back home. Although there are several ways in which you can handle such a person, they prove to be extremely challenging. Most important tip, while dealing with angry people, is to keep your emotions in check. You have to calm the irate person and try to diffuse the situation; else, the discussion can turn into a heated argument. Read on to know some tips on how to deal with an angry person.
Dealing With Angry People
- Allow the person to vomit out his anger towards you, as he might simply be reacting to a situation that must have occurred earlier. Do not take the tirade personally and let him express his frustration. Let him cool down and then only attempt to discuss the root of the problem.
- Do not retaliate with anger or accusations when someone is yelling at you. Try to stay calm. Carefully listen to the person to know if there is any justifiable reason for the angry outburst. If yes, let him finish and then apologize. If not, formulate and deliver your side of the story.
- When you see that the person wants to simply vent out about someone else, offer your sympathetic ear. Do not make things worse by attempting to talk him out of his mood or by devising a solution to his problem or rationalizing the other party’s side.
- Remember to maintain eye contact and nod as and when required, while the person is talking. On completing, state the main ideas behind the complaints and arguments to let him know that you’d been listening closely and respect his feelings.
- Respect his point of view and offer to come up with solutions, even though you do not agree with his statements. The offer itself can diffuse the anger to a certain extent.
- When you find that the person is in an extremely agitated state, do not block his way, prevent egress, or insist on solving the problem. By doing so, you would be putting yourself in a dangerous situation and increasing pressure.
- It is better to walk away if you realize that the person is in a mood to fight, especially when your encounter is with a stranger. You can leave or call someone to your help, if the person begins to provoke you or gets physically abusive.
- If the person is drunk or intoxicated, it is advisable not to solve problems at this time. It will only impair judgment, decrease inhibitions and distort your normally astute reasoning ability.
- A quick way to find out why the person is constantly angry with you is to simply ask him. It is possible that he does not even know that he is communicating angrily towards you. Your inquiry can provide a great opportunity for dialogue.
- Tell the person honestly, as to how his rude behavior is affecting you emotionally. This might prove to be an “eye-opener” for him.