THE best comeback to an insult is to say: “Calm down, grandma”, according to scientists.
They said the effect of a hurtful jibe can be negated and even reversed by the right response.
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Neuroscientist Dr Dean Burnett wrote in BBC Science Focus magazine: “Insults are complex concepts that have been studied at length.
“And it turns out that the impact of an insult depends as much on the recipient as it does the supplier.
“When it comes to straightforward insults — that lack socio-historical weight — ‘targets’ have notable control over outcomes.
“And there are many scientifically recognised ways to defuse insults or reverse effects.
“One is ascribing category membership to the insulter; making them seem the lower status, more easily-ridiculed party.
“Someone says, ‘Your haircut looks stupid’.
“You reply, ‘OK, calm down, grandma’.
“You put them in the category of unfashionable and out-of-touch.”
Dr Burnett also suggested that other responses can take a point that the insulter makes about themself and amplify it.
He explained: “They say, ‘I don’t understand why your attractive partner is with you’.
“And you say, ‘Would you like me to explain it to you? With crayons?’.
“There are countless more comebacks.
“They all orbit a central theme of not giving the insulter power, of denying them raised status and retaining control of the exchange.”
