How to Coach Yourself and Others Beware of Manipulation | Page 71

2. The silent treatment
Manipulative people may “punish you” by stopping to talk to you altogether and try to find out how
long it will take before you crack. This is how they get control.

How to deal with it:
Simply say "Let me know when you feel like talking" and
nothing else.
Act like it is no big deal. Get busy with something else and put a
smile on your face. If you "crack" now, manipulative people will
use this tactic again and again.
Be aware that sometimes people need time to think things out,
especially when they are angry.
Taking some time out may not be a manipulative technique, just
a way to deal with a problem. However, if the silence lasts
longer than the time needed to reflect, it may be a manipulation
tactic.

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