Go away you annoying bast#$%!!

1. Don’t be toxic to them. You must understand that they are unhappy and not just when talking to you, they are almost always in emotional pain. So try to keep that in mind before you explode. These people need help, not another toxic person.

2. You can start the conversation talking about something funny, showing them a funny video, telling a joke, etc. Try to create the right path of where the conversation should go to.

3. Ask them to stop talking about the problem and to talk about solutions. Be nice about it (at least on the first try), you can say things like “Ok, we know what the problem is, let’s find a solution”.

4. Don’t let them talk trash about other people behind their backs. Tell them that you don’t want to participate in criticizing a friend or a colleague, or even the person you hate the most. It doesn’t matter. You don’t want to let yourself get infected.

5. Try to focus the conversation on the few positive things they mention.

6. Change the subject. You can try to be subtle about it, but if that doesn’t work be clear about it, saying things like “I don’t want to talk about problems, let talk about happy things”. Of course they will say things like “but that is why we get together, to talk about our problems/to vent about all the annoying people we have to deal with throughout the week/etc.” Tell them that’s not important. Instead answer along the lines of “sorry, but I really want to talk about something positive”.

7. Avoid showing a reaction to their negative comments. Try to just listen and not participate in the conversation. They are looking to you to agree with them in their dark vision of the world.

8. Try to compensate for your exposure to them, by creating positive experiences for yourself the rest of the day. Maybe watch something funny on You Tube before and after dealing with them.

9. The way we interpret our surrounding becomes our reality and affects our state of mind. Don’t let them affect you with their words. It is not personal; their hate is not really directed towards you. Remember, they are in emotional pain and they are unhappy with themselves.

10. If you don’t want to get into an argument with them you can say things like “I understand what you mean”, “I see”…

11. They will not change if they are not willing to. And remember they might not know they are toxic. So unless you are ready to get into a big fight, don’t tell them how toxic they are or that they must change.