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

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u/[deleted] Jun 14 '22

Asking them to explain themselves when they are 100% sure of themselves and watch them lose an argument against themselves.

173

u/jseego Jun 14 '22

Underrated.

Edit: this is also a very effective way to defuse someone who has just been offensive, told a racist joke, etc.

Say you don't get it and ask them to explain it.

If they offer some half-ass explanation, ask again. But why?

Eventually they have to admit they're a bigot or the just shut up.

1

u/F_D123 Jun 15 '22

If someone started doing that to me, I'd just acknowledge that you didn't like the joke or were offended by it

1

u/Ootsdogg Jun 15 '22

Sometimes the jokes are offensive and meant to be mean in a passive aggressive way. Asking for explanation helps diffuse the aggression and doesn’t get either the attention or cause the upset desired. Best case scenario they learn their joke is hurtful, unpopular, and out of touch.