Responding to an inappropriate comment
An inappropriate comment often comes out of the blue, and only afterwards do you think of what you would have wanted to say. When you have a few ways of reacting ready in advance, you can stand up for yourself or others without escalating the situation.
You will need
- A few reply phrases thought out in advance
- An idea of which boundaries matter to you
- Your workplace's guidelines on inappropriate treatment
- A trusted person to talk the situation through with
Steps
Pause for a moment
Breathe and give yourself a couple of seconds. You do not have to reply immediately or perfectly.
Assess the situation
Ask for clarification
State your boundary
Change the subject deliberately
Support others as a bystander
Record repeated incidents
Process the feelings afterwards
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