When someone delivers a painful insult, it can often leave us at a loss for words.
In fact, it can even cause “deep and lasting” mental health scars similar to those associated with physical abuse.
But now a scientist thinks there’s a perfect answer.
And it can be especially effective for cocky 20-year-old ladies.
In a piece on BBC Science Focus, neuroscientist and lecturer Dr Dean Burnett reveals the “best return to insult”.
And he thinks it can successfully put a damper on someone else’s Medium comments or even “reverse their impact.”
A three-word retort can even put a smile on their face or make them laugh—completely diffusing the situation.
So, have you ever used it?
When someone delivers a painful insult, it can often leave us at a loss for words. But now a scientist thinks there’s the perfect revenge (file photo)
According to Dr. Burnett, author of “Emotional Ignorance,” the best way to respond to an insult is to say, “Calm down, Grandma.”
Dr Burnett believes that “the impact of an insult depends as much on the recipient as it does on the deliverer”.
He argues that this particular rhetoric, in his opinion, seems to “PROPELLE It seems that the lower the status, the easier the party to eradicate.”
The academician explains in the piece: “Someone says: ‘Your haircut looks stupid.’ You reply: ‘Okay, calm down grandma.'”
“You’ve put them in the category of ‘older, unfashionable, out-of-touch people,’ which makes them look worse.”
“Especially when they can’t possibly be your grandmother because [for example] they’re a 20-something man.”
The expert provided a few other answers that use a similar clever trick – using the words on the packaging itself to make them look stupid.
Dr. Burnett adds: “They say, ‘I don’t understand why [your attractive partner] is with you,’ you say, ‘Would you like me to explain it? With crayons?’”
A three-word retort can successfully put a damper on someone else’s mean insults or even “reverse their impact.” It can even put a smile on their face or make them laugh – completely diffusing the situation (file photo)
They meant to insult you, but the reaction turns out to be them admitting they are easily upset.”
There is also “co-programming criticism,” in which the insult is accepted and supported, and might even be reevaluated in a positive light.
Example: “They say, ‘You’re fat!'” You say, “I should hope I’ve spent enough money to get this way.”
“There are countless more revenges, but they all orbit around a central theme that doesn’t offer the Force Awakens.”
Dr. Burnett also pointed to the old proverb: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”
Although “sticks and stones” is a commonly used rhyme that goes back to the 19th century, it is also “incorrect,” the academic points out.
“Criticism and rejection trigger brain activity that is indistinguishable from actual pain,” he said.
“Basically, insults hurt.”
Verbal abuse of children could be as harmful to their mental health in adulthood as physical abuse, a recent study suggests (stock image)
Dr Burnett’s comments are supported by a recent study at Liverpool John Moores University, published in the journal BMJ Open in the Field.
The study found that childhood bullying is as bad for adult mental health as physical abuse – directly contradicting the ‘sticks and stones’ notion.
Those exposed to such violence when young were more likely to feel detached, pessimistic and emotionally distressed later in life, a study of more than 20,000 adults in England and Wales found.
Professor Mark Bellis, lead author of the study, said: “Our research shows verbal abuse in childhood can cause mental health scars as deep and long-lasting as those caused by physical abuse.”
