Trump Card
So, I’m in a faux-heated conversation with my friend Brandon the other day (our version of a cup of Joe or a cigarette break) and we uncovered gold. Something that should be taught in every high school debate class across the country and something that McBama could use to put this whole thing to bed.
Sure, the polar bears are last decade’s fanny packs and we are on the verge of another Depression, but I think we just may have made a discovery that is cancer-curing quality. After centuries of futile research by doctors, theologists and scientists alike, we have finally discovered the worlds greatest argumentative comeback. The king of rebuttals. The Zen of Zing.
GROW UP.
That’s right, it’s that easy. “Grow up.”
You can end a client meeting, a sports debate, your Verizon Wireless customer service call or a bickering bout with your lady friend with these two words: Grow Up.
Think about it. If you are the first to use these words, the other person will customarily become shocked, more heated and completely irrational. If anyone else is around you during this argument, you have just legitimized yourself as the mentally elder person in the debate and tossed the sophomoric label on your counterpart. Most likely, your verbal adversary will start to act like a juvenile which is called a self-fulfilling prophecy. They become what you called them.
It’s genius really. Especially if they become upset and defensive (meaning they won’t think strategically), the one who tossed the verbal jab of “Grow Up,” should complement this strike with a few palms-up-and-out shoulder shrugs, coupled with an affirming look around the room as if to say, “See, look at this guy. He is a child.”
The only thing that could ever cancel out this would be a reply of, “Okay, I will.” If it’s sarcastic, you still win. And, if it’s sincere, they look better because they have admitted to a fault but you still win for pointing it out.
Try it. But use this Trump Card wisely.
