* 20 Unpleasant Conversations (p.3 of 5)
20.10 When you question somebody's sanity angrily
Are you crazy? Listen <“Why did you tell my sister about my accident? Are you crazy? Now, she’s going to eat me alive.”>
Are you out of your mind? Listen <“Have you blown a thousand dollars in Las Vegas? Are you out of your mind? Do you know how much entertainment this money could buy?”>
Are you out of your head? Listen <“Did you shoplift a five-dollar toy in a department store and get caught red-handed? Are you out of your head? Now you have a criminal record.”>
Are you nuts? Listen <“Why are you driving thirty miles over the speed limit? Are you nuts? You have two speeding tickets already.”>
Are you psychotic or what? Listen <“Did you touch the arm of a little boy in the swimming pool? Are you psychotic or what? Don’t you know you could easily be accused in the sexual harassment of a minor?”>
Have you gone crazy? Listen <“Did you flirt with your wife’s sister at the party? Have you gone crazy? Have you forgotten how jealous your wife is?”>
Have you gone insane? Listen <“How could you hit a man? Have you gone insane? You’ll get a reputation for being compulsively aggressive.”>
Have you lost your mind? Listen <“What? Did you speed on a busy road and bump into a police car? Have you lost your mind?”>
Have you lost your senses? Listen <“I lied in court under oath. Now it has become known.” – “How on Earth could you do that? Have you lost your senses?”>
Have you lost your marbles? Listen A “Have you lost your mind?” <“I was driving under influence when a police officer pulled me over.” – “Have you lost your marbles? Now you can be penalized with a fine, suspension of your driver’s license, and possibly jail time.”>
Have you completely lost touch with reality? Listen <“I had a bitter argument with my boss, and he fired me.” – “Have you completely lost touch with reality? Don’t you remember how long it took you to find this job?”>
Have you completely flipped out? Listen A “Have you gone crazy?” <“I had a fight in a bar. I got arrested by the police.” – “Have you completely flipped out? Were you drunk?”>
What planet are you from? Listen <“I bought a stock which my stockbroker called ‘promising’. But it fell. I lost a good deal of money on it.” – “What planet are you from? This sort of investment is very risky these days.”>
20.11 When you question somebody's alertness angrily
Hello? Listen <“Hello? You seem to be a million miles away.”>
What's with you? Listen <“What’s with you? I’m trying to talk with you. It appears like you don’t hear me.”>
What's wrong with you? Listen <“Drive carefully. Do you see the car in front of you? It is braking. Slow down! What’s wrong with you?”>
Where's your head? Listen <“Where is your head? You look absent-minded.”>
What are you thinking? Listen <“What are you thinking? Do you hear me? Your face has a faraway look.”>
What's your problem? Listen A “What causes your strange behavior?” <“I reminded you twice to pay this bill today. Still, you forgot to do that. What’s your problem?”>
What kind of drugs are you on? Listen A “What is that substance that causes your strange behavior?” <“Why aren’t you watching the road? What kind of drugs are you on? Do you want me to drive?”>
What have you been smoking? Listen <“You are absolutely not paying attention to what’s going on around you. What have you been smoking?”>
20.12 When you want to stop a person from being angry
Don't have a fit. Listen A “Don’t have a fit of anger.” <“Dad, I want to tell you something. Don’t have a fit, though. I wrecked your car.”>
Don't throw a fit. Listen A “Don’t have a violent burst of rage. Don’t throw a fit of anger at me.” <“Did you make all this mess in my house?” – “Calm down. Don’t throw a fit. We’ll clean it up.”>
Don't have a conniption fit. Listen <“Betty, how many boyfriends did you have in your life?” – “What?” – “Don’t have a conniption fit. I’m just curious.”>
Don't have a cow. Listen A “Don’t have a fit.” <“Did he really start this dirty rumor about me?” – “Don’t have a cow. Even if he did, there’s nothing you can do about it. Don’t make a fool of yourself.”>
Give it a break. Listen A “Make a pause in your angry speech. Treat me favorably.” <“Stop yelling at me. Give it a break.”>
20.13 When you are angry at the person who has interrupted you
I wasn't speaking to you. Listen <“Boss, if I may. You’re making a mistake!” – “I wasn’t speaking to you.”>
Was I talking to you? Listen <“Can I say something? This is simply wrong.” – “Was I talking to you?”>
Who asked you? Listen A “Nobody is asking your opinion.” <“Why don’t you back out of this deal before it is too late?” – “Who asked you? Mind your own business.”>
When I want your opinion, I'll ask it. Listen A “I don’t want to hear your opinion.” <“Your hair is a mess. Why don’t you do something about it?” – “When I want your opinion, I’ll ask it.”>
Keep your opinions to yourself. Listen <“In other words, you want to disregard this important information, don’t you? How irresponsible of you!” – “Keep your opinions to yourself. I haven’t made any decision yet.”>
I'll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself. Listen A “I am not interested in your opinion.” <“Your room looks like it went thought a war.” – “I’ll thank you to keep your opinion to yourself.”>
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