We all have to check somebody at some point. Put a girl, or boy, in their place. In Cleveland, we call it "blowing down". I was super quiet and non-confrontational when I was younger so I had to learn the art of the blowdown. Whether you want to kill someone with kindness and put them in their place calmly or a hot head who wants to give someone a good cursing out, here are the 5 key elements for effectively checking someone:
- The Right Place: There is a time and place for everything and blowing down is no different. The last thing you want to do is make a scene at your great aunt's funeral because your cousin owes you $20. I suggest taking the person to the side and handling them privately. Only do it publicly if witnesses are needed to verify facts, mediate, etc.
- Timing: To continue the point made in #1 the perfect time is absolutely necessary when checking someone. You have to make sure that you handle the situation as soon as possible, but not too soon. Try not to blow down while you're angry because you will not get your point across properly. Effective communication is key because the end result is not an argument, it's mutual understanding.
- Get Your Facts Straight: There is nothing worse than checking somebody only to realize that you went off on them based on lies and misunderstandings. You should never check someone based on hearsay unless it comes from a VERY trusted source. Always go by what came from the horse's mouth. You will only make yourself look stupid if you don't check your resources first.
- Tone Of Voice & Body Language: As the old saying goes: It's not what you say, it's how you say it. As I said before, the end result of blowing down is not an argument, it's mutual understanding. You want to say your peace and part ways when the confrontation is over with. So make sure that you speak calmly and try not to raise your voice. Don't point in the person's face or stand over them while your speaking. Try to have it so that the both of you are either sitting or standing looking eye to eye. This will keep you from looking overly aggressive.
- Get a Dig In: It really wouldn't be blowing down if you didn't get a smart remark or two in. This is best for the naturally witty. If you're not, think back to the days of ranking (or playing the dozens). You'll find something clever to say.
UK Essay Writing Service Really a nice post, These five key are really useful to everyone. Thanks for sharing that good stuff with us.
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