8 Common Phrases That Secretly Reveal Poor Social Skills—Do You Use Them?
That means when you tell someone to “calm down,” they’re not in the best position to process it logically. Instead, they’re more likely to feel dismissed or invalidated, making their emotions even stronger.
People with good social skills understand that acknowledging someone’s feelings is far more effective than trying to shut them down. A simple “I understand why you’re upset” or “Let’s talk through this” can go a long way in diffusing tension—without making things worse.