Close to the boiling point

There have always been those who say “keep calm!” Especially in situations where “anything else but” comes to mind far more freaquently then keeping calm and not loosing ones cool. I guess to an “outside observer” such a suggestion comes more naturally than to one who is actually in a thick of it.

Facing the barrage of nasty comments, insults and straight out provocations, it becomes a second nature to at least try and keep your mental balance in shape. But with the progress of time it tends to get more and more difficult.

It’s not just about being pushed to the edge every time you take up your shift. It’s also about trying to understand, and more often than not failing miserably, what makes people so hostile towards you even in situation where anything but agression would constitute far more warranted and helpful response.

Yes, it is difficult to hear the words “no”, “not tonight” or “see you next time!” We all process rejection in our own way. No one is eager to admit their mistakes. It’s human nature to be cautios and sceptical.

But pushing the buttons until the maximum temperature is achieved will get you nowhere near the positive and peaceful end result. All it will achieve is the escalation of the situation that will most probably end in one or both of the parties boiling over.

And once that happens, floodgates of accusations and regrets are wide open. In the aftermath we hope that there will be time for reflection and self-analysis. But more often than not, such “reflections” are self-excusatoy at best.

In order to avoid the confrontation, it is always feasible to think about when it would be wise to pull out of the standoff. Downside of it is, that there are times, where such an act would contradict the basic tenets of self-respect and professional ethics. But the more wethink about such situatio the more equipped we become at thandling them.

Thinking doesn’t always make it so. But it sure does help in preparing ones mind for the possible scenarios that might, but hopefully never will, take place.