* 20 Unpleasant Conversations (p.2 of 5)
20.6 When you stop a person from being annoying
Would you stop that? Listen A “Why don’t you stop being annoying?” <“Jimmy, your childish antics aren’t amusing. Would you stop that?”>
Could you please stop doing that? Listen <“Why are you teasing the cat? Could you please stop doing that?”>
Must you do that? Listen <“You keep putting me down in front of my colleagues. Must you do that?”>
Must you continue to do that? Listen <“You keep asking my friends and relatives if I’m still loyal to you. It embarrasses me. Must you continue to do that?>
Have you got ants in your pants? Listen A “Why are you annoyingly nervous?” <“Why don’t you keep your offensive remarks to yourself? Have you got ants in your pants?”>
That's really bothersome. Listen <“You are always critical of me. That’s really bothersome.”>
That's really bothering me. Listen <“You are watching television without interruption. That’s really bothering me.”>
That's really bugging me. Listen A “That is really annoying.” <“You are asking me the same question again and again. That’s really bugging me.”>
That's really annoying. Listen <“Why are you laughing like crazy? That’s really annoying.”>
It's really irritating. Listen <“You’ve been talking on the phone all day. It’s really irritating.”>
That's making me crazy. Listen <“You are taunting me all the time. That’s making me crazy.”>
That's grating on my nerves. Listen <“Stop playing your silly guitar. That’s grating on my nerves.”>
That's getting on my nerves. Listen <“Stop whistling all the time. That’s getting on my nerves.”>
That's driving me nuts. Listen A “Your annoying actions are forcing me into the state of insanity.” <“Stop calling me every fifteen minutes. That’s driving me nuts.”>
Enough, already! Listen A “You have already reached the limit!” <“Can you ever be serious? Enough, already!”>
Enough of this foolishness! Listen A “Stop this stupid behavior!” <“Stop teasing me. You know I don’t like it. Enough of this foolishness!”>
I’ve had enough of this! Listen A “I will not take this anymore!” <“Stop picking on me. I’ve had enough of this!”>
I’ve had it up to here with you. Listen <“Your pranks are really annoying. I’ve had it up to here with you.”>
Cut it out! Listen A “Stop doing or saying that!” <”All right, you guys! Cut it out! Get to work!”>
Knock it off! Listen <”OK, you clowns! Knock it off! Get moving!”>
Come on! Listen A “Stop behaving like that!” <“Come on, man! Do you really need to be so obnoxious?”>
Come off it! Listen A “Stop acting this way!” <“James, come off it! You are not the Queen of England.”>
20.7 When you stop a person from being boring or dull
Must you harp on the same string? Listen A “Do you need to be a bore?” <“You’re going on and on with your old complaints. Must you harp on the same string?”>
Must you keep harping on that? Listen <“I told you I admit my mistake. Must you keep harping on that? You’re driving me mad.”>
Must you dwell on the subject? Listen <“You’re being really repetitious with your dull criticism. Must you dwell on the subject?”>
Don't be such a stick-in-the-mud. Listen A “Don’t be such a boring person.” <“Turn down your monotonous music. Don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud.”>
20.8 When you stop a person from being unpleasant
Don't be so grumpy. Listen <“You’re talking all the time about how much better life was when you were a kid. Don’t be so grumpy.”>
Don't be so grouchy. Listen <“I told you I would go with you to the zoo on Sunday. Don’t be so grouchy.”>
Don't be such a grouch. Listen <“You are complaining about almost everything I do for you. Don’t be such a grouch.”>
Don't be such a crab. Listen <“Who will pay your bills? What kind of question is that? You will! Don’t be such a crab.”>
Stop griping. Listen <“You have much work? That’s good. Stop griping. Would it be better is you were unemployed?”>
Stop sulking. Listen <“Consider the punishment you are receiving as edification. Stop sulking.”>
Stop pouting. Listen <“Did you have a fight with your boyfriend? I bet you, you started the fight first. Stop pouting.”>
Stop complaining. Listen <“So, you’re not entirely happy with your family life? Well, marriage is like military service. A lot of people want to quit, but you would be surprised at how many re-enlist. Stop complaining.”>
Quit complaining. Listen <“The gardener is mowing the lawn. Naturally, he is making noise. Quit complaining.”>
Quit whining. Listen <“If you have energy to complain about something, then you must have energy to do something about it. Quit whining, take action.”>
Quit your bitching. Listen <“A street vendor didn’t take your order? You can’t expect everybody to be at your beck and call. Quit your bitching.”>
What’s the matter with you? Listen A “What make you behave so unpleasantly?” <“You’ve been grouchy all day. What’s the matter with you?”>
Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed? Listen A “You seem grouchy today.” <“You seem depressed and moody today. Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed?”>
Somebody didn't get enough sleep. Listen <“This morning you threw a slipper at the cat. Then, you kicked the children out of the television room. Finally, you broke a couple of plates in the kitchen. Somebody didn’t get enough sleep.”>
20.9 When you are angry with a person and call them mentally inadequate
You're crazy. Listen A “You must be crazy to behave like that.” <“Don’t drive so fast. Slow down! You’re crazy.”>
You're out of your mind. Listen (used with You’re or You’ve got to be) <“It’s cold. You can’t go outside like that. You’re out of your mind.”>
You're out of your head. Listen <“Did you call my sister to tell her about my accident? You’re out of your head. Now, she is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”>
You're nuts. Listen <“Look at this stormy weather. Do you want to swim in the sea now? You’re nuts.”>
You’re nutty as a fruitcake. Listen <“You’ve lost a thousand dollars in Las Vegas, haven’t you? You’re nutty as a fruitcake.”>
You're a freak. Listen <“Did you get drunk and make advances to the boss’s wife at the Christmas party? You’re a freak.”>
You've gone over the edge. Listen <“Whenever I try to do something for you, you yell at me. You’ve gone over the edge.”>
Home Contents Topics Contacts Testimonials Tell a Friend about PhraseTeacher.com Audio Course “PhraseTeacher”
