You can simply not respond, or, if you are with a group of people, turn your attention to someone else. If that doesn’t work, turn around and tell them to leave you alone.
Even if you are dealing with ignorant people online or on social media, you can choose to ignore their comments. In many cases, you can block users or hide their comments/posts if you find them bothersome.
Changing the subject. You can simply shift the conversation away from topics where a family member shows ignorance. You can also tell an ignorant family member that you want to avoid conflict and move on: “I don’t want to argue, so let’s change the subject and talk about something else. ” Creating a diversion. Suggest playing a favorite game, watching television, or some other distraction to change the mood and topic. Resorting to humor. Laughter can diffuse tension and shift attention, so telling a good joke or funny story is a good way to keep the peace and overlook a family member’s ignorance. Commiserating with other family members. If other family members are bothered by someone’s ignorance, you can vent to each other. Just make sure to focus on the ignorant comments, and not on criticizing or attacking the family member.
You can try using work as an excuse to escape someone’s ignorant comments. If a coworker is saying ignorant things in a conversation and you want to get away, tell them something like: “Wow, I’ve got a lot of work to do. I better get back to it. ” Giving signals that you don’t want to be disturbed can stop coworkers from pestering you with ignorant comments for the first place. For instance, if you are able to wear headphones while working, this might deter people from interrupting you. Meditation, breathing exercises, or even taking a short break can calm you and help keep coworkers’ ignorant comments from bothering you. Try to take a couple of minutes once or twice during the workday to get away and clear your mind using one of these methods. [2] X Research source Find a work friend you can vent to about a coworker’s ignorance. Just make sure to focus on the ignorant comments, and not on criticizing or attacking the coworker. Avoid open confrontation at work. Arguing with your coworkers over their ignorant comments will not only make you angry, it makes you seem less professional and could even cost you your job if the situation escalates.
Think about this person’s background, and how it might have contributed to their views. Ask yourself: “How would I feel if I were this person, or in this situation?”
Think about a time when you said something ignorant. How did others react? How would you have wanted them to react? Think about how you can acknowledge, understand, and share the feelings of the person that is bothering you. [5] X Research source Choose your words carefully when speaking to him or her. Use a non-accusatory tone of voice and say things like “Let me see if I have this right…. ” or “It sounds like you’re saying…. ”
There are two issues in conflicts of communication: objective (factual) differences, and emotional issues that are attached to them. [7] X Research source Lilley, Roy. Dealing with Difficult People. Kogan Page, 2010. You might not be able to change people’s erroneous view of the facts, but you can change how you feel about their ignorance.
”This is a really complicated issue. I can see that you think X. I see things differently, because of Y and Z” ”There are a lot of facts to consider in this situation. Maybe we all need to do some more research before making a judgment. ”
If the person doesn’t simply accept your silence, say something like “I feel like I need a little bit of a conversation break, but I want to continue to be around and be together and just enjoy our space, but I just would like to be able to just enjoy some quietude together.
Try saying something like “I hear you when you say that X is true, but if you read Y it actually states that Z is true. ” If you can’t remember the details, or just want to be extra-diplomatic when pointing out someone’s ignorance, try saying something like “I’m not an expert on the subject of X, but I think that if you read Y it says Z. ”
Offer to talk more about the issue later, after you’ve both had time to think. Try saying something like “I have to ask you if you’d be willing to leave that topic on the shelf, at least for a week, so that we could just have a little space from it, would that be okay?” Suggest that since you don’t agree with each other, it might be best to respectfully acknowledge the difference of opinion and move on (otherwise known as “agreeing to disagree”). If the person says yes, and then has a few mistakes, where they bring it up, try to be compassionate and humorous when reminding them of your agreement.
Bullying based on ignorance can show up as rude or lewd jokes, inappropriate comments concerning gender/race/age/etc. , sharing of not-safe-for-work materials, demeaning comments, unequal work distribution, and so on. If you are the victim of bullying, try to document it. For instance, save screenshots of comments on social media, save emails, and try to find witnesses. If you are bullied at work, ask for a face-to-face meeting with your bully’s superior to discuss. Bring any documentation you have. You can also speak to your human resources department (or equivalent) about the bullying/harassment. If you are being bullied at school, let your school counselor, parents, or another trusted authority know about it so that you can get help. Schools should have anti-bullying policies. Be persistent if you are not believed. Be sure to pay attention to the anger and to welcome the awareness of it when it’s at lower levels. People who don’t want to actually learn how to deal with anger, end up getting bitter and resentful, and it actually breeds anger.
