Chapter 2 of 4 - Wayne and Melinda are tired of being put down. They both decide to use some humorous retorts to help them defuse the conflict. The humorous retorts are so successful that they start teaching these techniques to some of their friends. Perhaps some of these ideas will work for you and your friends as well.
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Chapter 2: Introducing Melinda, Aunt Sherry, and Tiffany
Melinda was one of those girls who gets put-down a lot. Up until lately, she always allowed her face and body language to show how upset it made her feel. But then, she made a phone call to her favorite relatives, Aunt Sherry. Aunt Sherry was a guidance counselor in Chicago.
"Aunt Sherry," Melinda pleaded. "I need your help!"
Aunt Sherry asked, "What's wrong, Melinda?"
Melinda said, "A lot of the girls at school call me a dumb blonde, stupid, and a lot of other mean names."
Aunt Sherry probed, "Well, are you?"
Melinda complained, "Aunt Sherry!! You know I'm not!"
Aunt Sherry agreed, "Exactly! I wanted to make certain you knew it. So, just because they try to label you with those names, does it make it true?"
Melinda said, "No! But it still hurts."
Aunt Sherry said, "I'm sure it does. But let me ask you a question. How do you react when they call you those names?"
Melinda stammered, "Well, uh, ..., I get upset."
Aunt Sherry asked, "Can they tell that you're upset, Melinda?"
Melinda said, "Probably. Yeah, they can."
Aunt Sherry asked, "Does that make them stop, or do they just call you names all the more?"
Melinda complained, "It gets worse all the time."
Finally Aunt Sherry said, "Okay! I have a few suggestions for you."
Melinda and her Aunt Sherry talked for quite some time. After they hung up, Melinda started trying these ideas out in front of her bathroom mirror. She worked hard to put a joking, humorous tone in her voice as she practiced what responses she would make when she next got put-down.
For a few days, Melinda simply tried to show no reaction when any of that gang of girls made fun of her. She thought she noticed that simply ignoring them and walking calmly away was helping a lot.
But that was just a transition phase. Finally, the day came when Melinda felt brave enough to try out her Aunt Sherry's first idea.
Tiffany strutted up to Melinda and snapped, "Ugly!"
Melinda forced herself to straighten her posture, smiled proudly, and with humor, say, "Hey! If you are going to call me that, it least put a handle on it. It's Miss Ugly!"
Tiffany's mouth fell open in shock. She couldn't think of a thing to say. She simply turned and walked away.
Melinda felt good. She felt really good! She had a feeling that Tiffany was probably going to leave her alone from now on.
That night, Melinda called up her Aunt Sherry. Melinda said, "Aunt Sherry! It worked! I told Tiffany to put a handle on it and call me Miss Ugly."
Aunt Sherry asked, "How did she respond?"
Melinda said, "She was totally shocked. Her jaw fell open, and then she just walked away."
Aunt Sherry said, "Excellent, Melinda! Have you tried any of my other ideas?"
Melinda said, "Not yet! I want to keep using this one for a while longer first. It was kind of fun!"
Aunt Sherry said, "Good attitude! You do realize that the only reason why these kids are putting you and others down is because they are trying to cover up their own low self-esteem?"
Melinda was surprised. She said, "Really?"
Aunt Sherry said, "I guarantee it! So you just strengthen up your own self-esteem and you will have won."
Melinda asked, "How do I do that?"
Aunt Sherry said, "Melinda! Your mama didn't give birth to no fool! You are a wonderful, worthwhile person and don't let anyone convince you of anything different."
Melinda said, "Thanks, Aunt Sherry!"
Melinda's self-confidence was climbing. She had a good time using Aunt Sherry's first suggestion on several kids who chose to put her down. She didn't even dread being put-down any longer knowing she had several great retorts she could use.
Click here to read Chapter 3 of 4 - Thicken your Skin to Put-Downs
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