Oh, The Silent Treatment! My favorite! I said that one time when he was doing it AGAIN! It is by far one of their favorite tactics. It requires no effort to initiate and comes with the added bonus of getting to walking away.
I chose to discuss this tactic in this only my second blog, because it is the only tactic that breaks the NO REACTION rule I gave you. No reaction in this case, lets them maintain the belief that it is working. The wrong reaction, that includes any reaction that shows you are disturbed by it, also indicates that it is working. Any non-reactive, calmly spoken alternative that somehow indicates you can take advantage of the situation, will likely end the situation. For example:
" Oh, the silent treatment, huh. Well, I guess I will take this opportunity to ... (fill in the blank) "
...call my mom. Or walk the dog. Or go workout. And then, calmly walk away to go do that thing. This accomplishes two things. It lets them know you are not upset about it, Tactic Disarmed. And helps you to really NOT be upset about it. The latter is SO important within this tactic as its effect on humans is immediate and lasting.
Anyone who has found themselves on the receiving end of the silent treatment, whether from a partner, parent, close friend, or colleague, knows how dismissive, manipulative, hurtful, and isolating an abrupt, deliberate refusal to communicate can feel. The recipient of the silent treatment is left feeling powerless, anxious, abandoned, and discarded. It even carries existential weight when a person is made to feel like they "do not exist". All forms of manipulation and control are cruel. Experts agree this is the cruelest of them all.
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