According to a new study by leading sociologists, when someone tells you to “fuck off,” the majority of the time they are annoyed at you and wish you were gone.
In response to being told to fuck off, the following behaviors are recommended:
- Ceasing whatever you were saying or doing that may have caused the annoyance.
- Taking some time to think over your behavior, consider how it may have come across to others, and decide how you could change it to be less offensive.
- Politely apologizing to the individual. Apologize for your behavior, not for their response.
- If you aren’t sure, asking what you did that caused the annoyance. Phrase your question as a request, not a demand.
- Promising not to do the annoying behavior again and keeping that promise.
- Or simply fucking off.
The following behaviors are not recommended:
- Doubling down on an argument you were having and holding your position even more adamantly.
- Telling the individual that he or she is being too emotional.
- Telling the individual not to make personal attacks.
- Demanding that anyone who disagrees with you cite a printed book.
- Ignoring all attempts to explain what you are doing wrong.
- Saying “No, you fuck off!”
