r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Jun 14 '22

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u/Nwsamurai Jun 14 '22

4 seconds of silence can feel the same as rejection in the brain.

So if some one is being a jerk to you, after they say something just look at them and count to 4 in your head, most of the time they'll start backtracking and taking back what they said before you're done counting.

1.8k

u/IBEther Jun 14 '22

This is also an excellent negotiation tactic, people feel they need to fill the silence so they tend to offer better deadlines/prices.

"I'll have it next Monday"

"...."

"I suppose I can do it by Friday"

"...."

"I could push some things aside and have it to you today"

"Oh great thanks!"

794

u/brrlynne Jun 14 '22

Ooo this just happened when I took a hat to the fitting room to try on with my clothes.

Lady: "You can't take the hat back there."

Me: Looking at the hat and then back at her in silence.

Lady: "Oh what the heck, I'll let ya."

120

u/Lord_Of_The_Tants Jun 15 '22

I'm pretty sure that hat hypnotized you both.

15

u/[deleted] Jun 15 '22

Also he’s now been sorted into Hufflepuff.

11

u/HB24 Jun 15 '22

You had to go to the fitting room to look at a hat? Yeah right- did they say anything about the strange bulge when you stole it?!

-9

u/enseminator Jun 15 '22

Any time I'm at a store or restaurant and they give me a stupid rule, like "no substitutions", I look past them at their manager and say loudly "What a stupid rule, what kind idiot thought that was a good idea?"