How to Socialize with Difficult People

As individually different as we are, it is inevitable that we sometimes come across personalities that are just too darn hard to get along with.

Some are mildly tolerable within a two-week span. Some are tolerable not beyond a few meet-ups a year. And some a mere few hours. Still others, just happy to keep it at Whatsapp group basis.

Now this becomes quite problematic when the difficult person is an important business associate or a family member where one is expected to live up to one's social responsibilities and attend the dreaded, inescapable soiree.

As an introvert, I find striking up conversations with such personalities as easy as doing a somersault wearing fluffy bunny slippers in the middle of the desert.

Admittedly, the COVID face masks have mercifully shielded us from having to bare our true expressions. Not to mention with masks on these past two years, pat on the back, we have artfully learned to 'speak with our eyes' and keep 'friendly eyes'.

But besides putting your best fake-friendly face on, what CAN you do to survive the ordeal?

Thankfully a few friends have lent me their empathic words of wisdom on how to handle these delicate social situations:

Tip #1. Keep the duration of the exchange short

This is crucial, my friend swears by it. Be creative in finding escapes to rescue an elder, the menacing cat in the water pipe, your jumping toddler or the burning muffins.

Desperate times call for desperate measures - if needed arrange for a friend to call you after 5 minutes into the conversation for that critical getaway.

Perhaps travel & hobbies could be safe topics of conversation

Tip #2. Focus on a topic both of you are genuinely interested in

Fence the conversation around it. If it is a subject that he/she really has got special knowledge/skills in, it will be an enlightening experience for you.

If he is an avid traveler and has the experience, travel destinations might be a safe topic of conversation, as well as save you ample research time on places you may want to travel to.

Tip #3. Bring a distracting toddler with you

This one will be your eternal saviour, as the conversation goes into the 16th. minute and you are dying inside.

Then the toddler gets restless and voila you "simply must apologize for the nuisance" and step away.

Tip #4. Bring food

Food, glorious food. Offer it, eat it, explain it, twist it, praise it.

Keeps the mouth busy, the belly full and the conversation sweet.

Tip #5. Show and tell

Showing photos of places/things he/she is interested in from your mobile is not only a great conversation starter but also a saver.

The latest mobile apps related to your subject's interests, can be a wonderful and diverse discussion. From interior design, to photo effects, deep fake, cryptocurrency, collector's items, stickers, gaming and fashion trends, you can rely on it to cover any obsession under the sun.

Remember though, some prep work and trying out the apps, prior to the meeting, is needed.

And, if all else fails - breathe, soak in a warm bath, phone and load-off everything on your bestie (that's what they're for, right?), grab a cold bottle of beer and call it a night.

Tomorrow, is another day.

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If you have a few more suggestions or hacks to share with our readers on how to tackle tricky or awkward social situations, don't be shy to hit me up on my contact tab, and I will gratefully add it up to this list.