after reading an entertaining (and educational) post by herohog in another thread:
http://thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4831803&postcount=17
I realized that de-escalation isn't considered as frequently as armed responses (though there is a good thread here: http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=255619). It also was apparent that the responses for de-escalation are more varied than the armed responses, which are generally variations on the the "neutralize threat" theme. De-escalation can involve reasoning with them, apologies, humor (as above), leaving the area, appeasment, inflating their egos, just to name a few from the other thread. Additionally, the response is very dependant on the situation.
Since there is such variety, and these solutions don't seem to come up in "situation" threads, here's the drill:
Fill in the phrases in the parenthesis () to generate and solve your situation. Try to keep it realistic to something that could happen in your life (or feel free to share a story of an actual incident).
This is just to get people started on thinking about situations, if it is too limiting for the situation you have in mind, feel free to adapt it to fit. (sm, as always, you are welcome to share in your usual style.)
Not really a bluff but a good disarming tale: My brother and I raced dirt track modified cars (open wheel) together for years. One night, he and another driver tangled up and when they came in the pits the other guy was Steamed and jumped out of his car, threw his helmet down and headed for our pit. Tommy jumped out of his car and went to meet him and, of course, the members of the respective pit crews tagged along. Well, Tommy and the other driver met and Tommy looked him square in the chest (Tommy ain't real big) and the guy says "I'm gonna kick yer [butt]!" Tommy says "You think you can kick my [butt]?" The guy says "I KNOW I can kick your [butt]!" Tommy says "Then I guess there ain't much sense in us fightin' then is there?" and walks off! The other guy stood there for a second, smiled, laughed and that was it.
http://thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4831803&postcount=17
I realized that de-escalation isn't considered as frequently as armed responses (though there is a good thread here: http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=255619). It also was apparent that the responses for de-escalation are more varied than the armed responses, which are generally variations on the the "neutralize threat" theme. De-escalation can involve reasoning with them, apologies, humor (as above), leaving the area, appeasment, inflating their egos, just to name a few from the other thread. Additionally, the response is very dependant on the situation.
Since there is such variety, and these solutions don't seem to come up in "situation" threads, here's the drill:
Fill in the phrases in the parenthesis () to generate and solve your situation. Try to keep it realistic to something that could happen in your life (or feel free to share a story of an actual incident).
There I was, just going about my business, doing (task). I didn't realize it, but by doing (action), I had offended a group of locals. They felt that (action) meant (local meaning).
Several of them confronted me, saying (phrases, but keep it appropriate for THR). I had a panicked moment as I realized that I was unarmed because (reason).
Fortunately, I was able to defuse the situation by (action or actions). They responded by (action or actions). However, always being prepared, if that hadn't worked, I was prepared to (backup plan). Looking back on it, I should have avoided (actions, locations or people), because (reason).
This is just to get people started on thinking about situations, if it is too limiting for the situation you have in mind, feel free to adapt it to fit. (sm, as always, you are welcome to share in your usual style.)