Non-escalating Verbal Self-Defense

Join us! — (Click on the word, "good.")

"Maybe it's no good." [This website]

"Out in the Weeds It's Hard to

Criticize a Spark of Light."

"Why Do We Need This?"

"It's for the Student --

to stay elemental!

See verbal dirty tricks

as puzzles with solutions,

not as mind-spinning interactions

between the powerful and the oppressed."

"Your Coarse Energy, Your Hatred, Builds Up."

"The idea is to clear it out in just a few words – You

don't want it backing up into your system."

"Ingredients & Recipes in a Working Farm

for the Cultivation of Happiness."

& also SmoothGravel.com

"Your best defense is to have a good life. That's what your

job is – to make sure no one takes over your life."

"You Can't Keep Everything Underground."

"Just saying ... The Magic Words!"

"Make the Awfulness Go Away."

"Calm the Inner Turmoil."

"Mind Candles."

.com

Non-escalating Verbal Self-Defense

NEW HERE? wtf "clicking around?" START HERE

Raw Anger Or use the Zing-Ching-Tarot as a launch pad!

[27] —Just wait! [44] —Never naïve. [39] —Very
touching. [36] —Among others. [60] —It's evolving.
[06] —Someone else. [41] —It's mutual. [45] —I hope.
[03] —As if. [21] —Very mysterious. [84] —Even you?
[41] —Nothing really. [55] —Rats! [55] —Keep going!
[26] —Any one. [11] —So foolish. [32] —Not alone.
[56] —How embarrassing. [42] —Midnight Special.
[74] —Forget that! [63] —No rush. [74] —Let go!

Recent Feedback

Instructions for The Fifth Spell

Older Home Page

INDICES

[ MOBILE VERSION ]

Wings (two-word responses!)

Mind Candy (online book)

Responses - A

Responses - B

"Things you wouldn't have
even known to say
when you were twelve."

THE ALEHOUSE DOCTRINE

HAND-PAINTED MONTH CUBES

"I don't know what you're talking about."

—Very mysterious. —It's sharing the knowledge of how people nipped verbal violence in the bud back in the '40s and '50s, using things they'd learned from their fathers, and from their fathers. Tonic, they used to call it. It's an old-fashioned art. In this modern form, it's a Suggestion Machine, based on key words in an attack. Neither motivation nor character traits (such as dominance, indifference or susceptibility) provide on-the-spot clues for breaking down bullying. You need context, and words themselves are the context. David Brooks calls this "the Fundamental Attribution Error: Don't try to explain by character traits behavior that is better explained by context." (David Brooks, "Tools For Thinking," The New York Times, March 29, 2011) In short, you hear some wisecrack or smart-alecky remark, then respond to it like a little kid from a big family in New Jersey who's been practicing from a very early age.

"Since 1995 :: Verbal Self Defence :: With Wings"

Bullying occurs on many levels. Generalizing about school terror has limited value. Be specific. You can learn what to do. Understanding what's really going on inside yourself and inside other people is what helps. The toughest ages a person goes through are fifteen to thirty, because you don't know what's going to happen and there are things you have to learn. Be simple. Trust yourself. The best answer to a fool is silence "&" YOU CAN USE WORDS TO LET OFF STEAM! "&" You can replace (1.) raw fear, (2.) shame, (3.) mortification, (4.) guilt, (5.) self-recrimination, (6.) simmering hostility or (7.) vague unspoken feelings with words "&" Don't worry until something happens, right? When you are around truly dangerous people, policemen or at work, lay low! Learn how to psychologically leave home. When you can talk back to your parents, you're cured! Preparation is everything. If you "don't get it!" it's just patience, you know? These "wolf trap release mechanisms" are reaching the deepest parts of you. The idea is to free yourself from bullying altogether, not to engage with it head-on. There is subtle and real knowledge here for doing this.

Magic is already inside everyone, trapped at a preverbal level, and the sorcery at taxi1010.com has to do with releasing those traps. When energy is released from buried memories, it comes up as "kief" (as the Arabs used to call it), or inner light.

•	BEST PRACTICES BOOKMARKS

•	Today's self help: Characterizing and stopping bullies

•	Houston Business Journal: There is no room for workplace bullies in the Best Places to Work

•	Susan Engel & Marlene Sandstrom: There's Only One Way to Stop a Bully

•	Lyrica Marquez & Gayle Lee: AWE-tizm: n., sounds like autism a/k/a awetism -- trailer

•	To be the OPPOSITE OF A JUICY TARGET

•	See life as bubble structures ... There's a land and everything in it is a bubble ... Bubbles bump ... And sooner or later it comes back to them one way or another ... Because the bubbles are transparent, nothing knew what it was ... Being nothing, you can describe things no one can see ... People can't connect to enough inside ... (To contact what needs knowledge, warmth, and nourishment) ... They seem to make a lot of money ... If you're hiding in a cave, they're two things you can do: Come out, or starve to death ... It's not that anything happens – It's an event ... Try to get rid of that event ... Try to be yourself now.

•	Notice people ... Each thinking they're their fathers, hating themselves ... Interesting ... I'm just saying, supposing ... Not all the time ... It's only all the time if you have a French girlfriend.

•	Understand the soul gets covered by a mask of pretense – See the difference between OUTER LIFE: "I am in charge of purchasing for HP," and BURIED TREASURE: a little bit distraught, slightly out of your element – Never be what someone else wants you to be – Be what you are.

taxi1010.com Jump Start

[32] Directives	"Why don't ..."	—Do less.
[60] Laments	"... I ..."	—God knows!

[86] Put-downs	"... cute ... "	—It's powerful.
[51] Interference	"... a minute?"	—About what?

[41] Clash	"... you ..."	—Be serious.
[29] Bedeviling	"... I'm ..."	—You're kidding!

[35] Begging	"... change?"	—Not today.
[27] Piggybacking	"& one more?"	—Just wait!

[25] Parents	"... you'd ..."	—That's excessive.
[39] Dismissal	"... go ..."	—Great timing!

[54] Containment	"... leaving?"	—Great investment.
[26] Confusion	"... available?"	—Any one.

[81] Commonplaces	"... are ...?"	—Wide open!
[32] Clichés	"... hiding?"	—Not alone.

[43] Unattributed	"... it's ..."	—Very important.
[03] Aggression	[the finger]	—As if.

Watch out! It's taking off!

/----------

==------/ ~ &-----

OO OO @ @ @


SAMPLE -- swimming

	They say: "Have you ever peed in a swimming pool?"

	Key word: swimming

	Category: 18 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Can't miss!

	You hold back: "Me, personally? ... Do people do that? ... You do that a lot? ... Ugly! It's a horrible thing ... Do you know what bomber pilots do? ... You're dropping bombs on people! ... In a nice neighborhood ... Is there anybody there? ... In April ... Here we go again ... I just took mine off ... Let's try again ... Liars! Liars! ... Look, I didn't realize! ... It's a mistake ... I'll never get home ... I did this last year ... We've created evil ... We have cleanup right here ... We're at the crossroads ... Posted by Blade ... Hopefully the same ... Does nothing! ... I've lived there. It's a super nice place ... Good looking ... Veri-Tuf -- It's built-in ... All we need is a scandal."


SAMPLE -- workers

	They say: "Mr. President, why do you favor foreign workers over Americans?" [Interrupting the president's address on an executive policy directive to Homeland Security to limit deportations of young foreign workers] (–Neil Munro, The Daily Caller, June 15, 2012)

	Key word: workers

	Category: 31 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Really tough.

	You hold back: "No one's going to work if they think they're worthless."


SAMPLE -- nickname

	On the Internet they search for: «Verbal defense to use when called a bad nickname»

	Key word: nickname

	Category: 03 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —And everything!

	You hold back: "Cold comfort ... Put the spotlight on yourself! ... You can't like yourself all the time ... Shut up and fuck you! ... Don't ever do what Zorba the Greek tells you to do ... The Other."


SAMPLE -- Fish-face

	They say: "Fish-face." [From the 2012 documentary, Bully – See also stargate22, intimidation, lying]

	Key word: Fish-face

	Category: 03 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —And everything!

	You hold back: "Very religious."

R E V E N G E

of the

School Bus Monitor *

—————————

[78]	"What size bra are you? Triple sag?"	—It's magic! —A person's as big as she takes care of things.

[35]	"Fat-ass! What's your address so I can friggin' piss all over your door?"	—Big family! —The thing about victimhood, if people see you're hurt, they try to kill you.

[06]	"You're a fucking troll, babe."	—Share less!

[35]	"Oh, my God! You're so fat!"	—Big family!

[03]	"Oh, my God! You're so fat! She probably misses her boxes of Twinkies."	—Or younger.

[28]	"You fuckin' fat-ass!"	—Socially challenged!

[43]	"She probably eats deodorant because she can't afford real food."	—And you?

[11]	"You touched her arm flap – It's all stinky and smelly."	—So foolish.

[81]	"Put your sunglasses back on – Looking like a fucking troll."	—Wicked, huh?

[68]	"She's gonna pick out which kid she's gonna rape next."	—The opposite.

[16]	"If you come to my house, I'll fucking beat your ass."	—Or vice versa.

[25]	"I'm going to pull my knife out – Stick a knife in you – It'll probably go through you like butter."	—Pretty intense.

[54]	"You're in trouble, you old troll."	—How's that?

[16]	"Fucking hearing aid – I'll egg your house."	—Says who?

[48]	"Maybe she's an elephant."	—Or whatever.

[22]	"I'll take a fucking crack at your mouth."	—I wouldn't.

[68]	"I'll fucking take a crap in your mouth."	—Cheap thrills.

[86]	"You don't have a family because they all fucking killed themselves."	—That's all?

[32]	"I'll send you a doughnut, fucking fat-ass."	—Do less.

[07]	"She's going to fucking die of diabetes she's so fat."	—Could be.

[34]	"This book's infected now."	—It's deeper.

[54]	"You can see the fuckin' sweat dripping down her face."	—Nature screams.

[81]	"What's that water running down your face? You're crying!"	—WORLD POWER!

[71]	"You want this? Aw, too bad! You fat ass!"	—Wise up!

[37]	"They all killed themselves because they didn't want to be near you."	—Painful feelings.

[35]	"Karen wants herpes."	—Not today. —"Expect miracles. Live with integrity. Be remarkable." (–Karen Huff Klein)

* If you don't know what to say to four
seventh-grade kids on a school bus,
your mind moves with them,
so they just keep pouring it on.


SAMPLE -- do

	They say: "Why do you let people do this to you?" [Bully you]

	Key word: do

	Category: 32 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —I'm retired!

	You hold back: "WHAT'S WRONG WITH GETTING ANGRY? ... (1.) You could hurt someone's feelings; (2.) You could go too far; (3.) You could say too much; (4.) They could retaliate, threaten, and punish; (5.) It's uncivilized or barbaric ... WHAT'S MY FAULT TODAY?"


SAMPLE -- do

	They say: "What do you mean by that?"

	Key word: do

	Category: 32 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Not alone.

	You hold back: "To annoy my neighbors ... TO MAKE THEM PAY FOR THIS! ... It's not going to do you any good to be too civilized ... You have to pay a lot for dwarfs to take small steps – in Berkeley ... Frightened is a tool you have – It's like a thermometer of intelligence ... 'What good is learning about a problem if you can't learn about solving the damn thing, am I right?' (–Andres Vachss, Heart Transplant, Dark Horse Books, Milwaukie, Oregon, 2010)"


SAMPLE -- gang

	They say: "You're not in our gang – This is a private club – You can't be a member." [To a four-year-old girl]

	Key word: gang

	Category: 64 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Probably.

	You hold back: "One person could have changed your entire life."


SAMPLE -- member

	They say: "You're not a member."

	Key word: member

	Category: 64 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Probably.

	You hold back: "Stuck in my heart! ... N.I.N.J.A. – No Income, No Job or Assets."

Keyword Sampler

—————————

A lazy irreverence enables me to teach uses & possibilities, not necessity. Verbal attacks can swamp you with negative emotions. Maybe there's something far more efficient. A little spark. Hitch your wagon to a star.

[17] How :: —THINGS CHANGE!

[32] do :: —I'm retired!

[41] you :: —Be serious.

[21] know? :: —Very mysterious.

[32] Where :: —All around.

[10] have :: —Anything else?

[41] you :: —Worth something!

[52] been? :: —Well, okay!

[42] How's :: —Midnight Special.

[88] it :: —Already forgotten.

[57] going? :: —No shit!


SAMPLE -- witnesses

	They say: "Passive witnesses to such behavior – other students, teachers or parents – who do nothing are coconspirators in the bullying behavior." (–Mark D. Smaller, Director, Analytic Service to Adolescents Program, Morton Alternative School, Chicago)

	Key word: witnesses

	Category: 04 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Totally destroyed.

	You hold back: "What did the Chinese say? One order leads to ten thousand ... It's like making holes in the ocean ... You can just make gestures."


SAMPLE -- comeback

	They text: «Defend friend bully rude comeback school»

	Key word: comeback

	Category: 04 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Totally destroyed.

	You hold back: "Oh, don't let the pastor hear that!"


SAMPLE -- tips

	They say: "He could pick up some tips from you then."

	Key word: tips

	Category: 04 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Sure, boss!

	You hold back: "What I don't understand is, why aren't they all multimillionaires?"

Four-and-a-half Lessons

—————————

[21]	"I don't know what you're talking about."	—Very mysterious.

[32]	"I don't know what you're talking about."	—Do less. —Be specific. —Help me!

[42]	"Does 'I don't know what you're talking about' sound hostile or defensive?"	—So wrong! —Maybe in a small town.

[04]	"I still don't know what you're talking about."	—Totally destroyed. —It's all the things I never read, and now I know why.

[81]	"What are you talking about?"	—WORLD POWER! —Learning things.


SAMPLE -- Coca-Cola

	They say: "GIVE ME THAT COCA-COLA CAN! – ONE, TWO, THREE ..." [Overhearing an eleven-year-old boy threatening his eight-year-old sister]

	Key word: Coca-Cola

	Category: 04 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Totally destroyed.

	You hold back: "What a slurp! What a cherry lifesaver she is! I haven't seen anything that nice in a long time ... WHY ARE YOU ASKING ME THAT, NEIGHBOR HANS? HAST THE DEVIL GOT THY TOE? ... That's pretty heavy, isn't it? Pretty heavy duty ... Nobody smart does anything like that ... THAT'S NOT CRICKET ... It's different ... YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR WAYS ... You have to pay someone ... The Maharishi, 'The Little Man Who Lived With the Monkeys' ... In northern India ... Read The Wolf Man."


SAMPLE -- didn't

	They say: "I didn't hurt you." [Telling his little sister to stop crying after throwing a rock at her]

	Key word: didn't

	Category: 75 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Many things!

	You hold back: "Not entirely! ... Not endlessly!"

The Rosebed of a Broken Heart

[14] Distraction	"... doing ...?"	—Nothing much.
[12] Sour Grapes	"... good day!"	—It's insane.

[18] Baiting	"... problem ...?"	—Apparently not.
[42] Shaming	"... sad ... ?"	—War souvenirs.

[53] Crib Rattling	"... cooties ...!"	—Or worse!
[54] Unrequited	[mum's the word]	—How's that?

[64] Inquisition	"... crazy?"	—Probably.
[05] Bashing	"... gay?"	—Get malaria!

[22] Intimidation	"... always ..."	—Who knows?
[04] Hairspring	"... me ..."	—Sure, boss!

[88] Sheer Terror	"... makes it ...?"	—Sounds serious!
[52] Edgy & Hip	"No."	—Well, okay!

[19] Rivalry	"... else ...?"	—So WHAT?
[11] Heartbreak	"Yes."	—Totally unhelpful.

[80] Liquid Gold	"... precaution ..."	—Just lucky!
[76] Elemental	"... and ..."	—Going up!

Very slowly, it's coming out ..

&&&

//// /

&&&&&

&&&&&&

&@ \ / @&

\\\\ \

& @ \/ @ &

&&&&&&&&&&&&

<<< @ @

@ @

\\//


SAMPLE -- why

	They say: "Why did you order that pie in the first place?"

	Key word: why

	Category: 78 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —It's magic!

	You hold back: "I was walking on the ceiling and put my head in the refrigerator ... Proof of liking ... In the flesh ... It's hard to criticize a spark of light ... Small proofs of liking ... Poked me in the eye ... Provisions ... What good is a love affair if we can't see eye-to-eye?"


SAMPLE -- worked

	They say: "I know a professor who worked there [your Alma Mater] – He said all the students were lazy and stupid."

	Key word: worked

	Category: 18 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Apparently not.

	You hold back: "You want someone who's nice to the kids ... (If nothing else, it'll keep 'em off the street!)"

A War of Words?

-- or --

Jalaludin Rumi

—————————

"Both reeds drank from the same water-source,
(but) this one is empty, that one (full of) sugar." *

(The Mathnawí of Jalálu'ddin Rúmí
Translated by Reynold A. Nicholson;
Book I, Paragraph 270, page 18;
E. J. W. Gibb Memorial Trust, 1926)

	CLEVER or SNAPPY COMEBACKS?	Or MATTER-OF-FACT CORDIALITY

[84]	"I just can't figure out why you're not married yet." —Me neither! But I know why I'm not divorced yet!	"I just can't figure out why you're not married yet." —Dogs, too!

[41]	"Are you a snob?" —No, I'm a slob. That must have been a typo.	"Are you a snob?" —Nothing really.

[21]	"You don't know how to have fun." —Sure I do. Tell me when it starts.	"You don't know how to have fun." —Someone must.

[10]	"Thank you for that lesson." —I'll try being nicer if you try being smarter.	"Thank you for that lesson." —Anything else? —Harvard men are best at this.

* "Two reeds drink from the same stream.
One grows to be hollow;
the other becomes a sugar cane."


SAMPLE -- shovel

	They say: "Why did you get a shovel?"

	Key word: shovel

	Category: 45 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —It's shocking.

	You hold back: "Hold the questions lightly – Another aimless day."

The Slow Gold

C • O • N • T • e • s • T

—————————

Choose the same answer that I did (F.) and

win a free twenty-four hour trip around the planet,

a ton of oxygen, a smidgen of gravity (which you

can share with others), and a strong jolt of

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness --

(along with an occasional bright, starry night ....)

	COLUMN 1	COLUMN 2

	Someone trying to trick you into grappling with their constantly-spinning, unkind (to themselves!) and bitter act, which is mostly an unconscious imitation of their parents -- It's like you're dealing with a person and a behind-the-scenes enforcer (Inside of them!) at the same time (Their Superego).	Instead, you, along with a conscious alignment with a friend (Your Real Self, the part of you that silently observes everything, (filled with dreams, wonder and a sly sense of humor)), choose from an assortment of chocolates -- Really, from verbal tools of intelligence (knowledge) which can lead to inner nourishment, healing & growth.

[78]	Why	(a.) It's magic! (b.) Funny, huh? (c.) Nothing complicated. (d.) The in-crowd.

[32]	don't	(e.) Not alone. (f.) All around. (g.) Do less. (h.) I'm retired!

[41]	you	(i.) Be serious. (j.) Nothing really. (k.) Worth something! (l.) It's mutual.

[39]	go	(m.) That's it. (n.) Great timing! (o.) Very touching. (p.) Another chapter.

[27]	jump	(q.) Sure, Jack! (r.) Not recently. (s.) Hold it! (t.) Just wait!

[65]	in	(u.) What's next? (v.) Totally unexpected. (w.) Everything changes. (x.) Without stopping.

[33]	a	(y.) And furthermore! (z.) Just vicious. (A.) Same punishment. (B.) Save money!

[25]	lake?	(C.) Pretty intense. (D.) That's excessive. (E.) Almost impossible. (F.) Don't stop!


SAMPLE -- moron

	They say: "What are you, a moron?"

	Key word: moron

	Category: 77 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Next time!

	You hold back: "Protect yourself."


SAMPLE -- you

	They say: "You didn't see or hear anything, did you?" [To an enlisted sailor having just witnessed a physical brawl between two officers on an aircraft carrier]

	Key word: you

	Category: 41 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Be serious.

	You hold back: "It's hard for me to talk, too."

THE SWEET SPOT ::

Twelve Devilish Directions

& Shortcuts Underneath

The Grandé Multiplex Mall

—————————

SE :: [21]	["Go-to" spot for anything insufferably stupid :: "Was this building demolished?" \|\| "What do you mean, you don't know?"]	—Very mysterious.

E :: [61]	["Go-to" spot for violations of "what is expected" in the Land of the Phonies :: "You never struck me as the Bloody Mary type."]	—Unbelievable, huh?

NE :: [81]	["Go-to" spot for neutralizing sarcasm :: "An uplifting experience." (Spoken sarcastically)]	—Before this.

ROOF [38]	["Go-to" spot for excessive "I'm sorry's" and "excuse me's"]	—Top shelf!

N :: [54]	["Go-to" spot for violations of common sense :: "If you like it so much, you should move back there."]	—Great investment.

NW :: [20]	["Go-to" spot for untamed spontaneity and delusions of grandeur :: "Well, good for you!"]	—Beyond that.

W :: [35]	["Go-to" spot for a weasel popping out of nowhere trying to tell you what to do :: "Can I help you with something?" \|\| "Is there something wrong with my truck?"]	—Stick around!

DOWN [17]	["Go-to" spot for manufactured belligerence :: "You touched my car – I don't like anyone touching my car."]	—THINGS CHANGE!

SW :: [78]	["Go-to" spot for nipping an argument in the bud :: "I think a person should have responsibility."]	—Nothing complicated.

S :: [14]	["Go-to" spot for guarding your libido :: "What were you doing in there?" (A little boy and girl coming out of the bathroom, where they were learning things)]	—Can't wait!

EXIT [07]	["Go-to" spot for making an unexcused exit :: "Was it something we said?"]	—Could be.

POOR [35]	["Go-to" spot for steeling your heart :: "Hey, man, buy me a coffee."]	—Not today.

GONE [06]	["Go-to" spot for placing your attention where you want to place your attention :: "Hey! Who the hell do you think you are?" \|\| "I need you to help jump my truck."]	—Someone else.

BACK [78]	["Go-to" spot for anything spoken to your back :: "Why don't you go fuck yourself?"]	—It's magic!

HOME [61]	["Go-to" spot for unwarranted criticism :: "You just want the salary; you don't want the responsibility."]	—OUCH.

ROOM [01]	["Go-to" spot for anything left over :: "Stop whining." \|\| "You lack confidence." \|\| ""You blew it!"]	—You wonder.

SPOT [27]	["Go-to" spot for "Just one more!" :: "Can I have a big one?" (They peeked in your billfold when you gave them a dollar)]	—Just wait!

OVER [76]	["Go-to" spot for growing pains :: "Gibson Island is a wonderful place to grow up." \|\| "He stays on the surface until he gets to know you."]	—Very awkward. —Don't do too much.


SAMPLE -- agenda

	They say: "What's your agenda for this trip?"

	Key word: agenda

	Category: 83 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Nothing's right.

	You hold back: "You're not supposed to do something ... You're supposed to occupy a space .. If someone needs you, they'll find you, and if they don't, you're lucky!"


SAMPLE -- stab

	They say: "I'M GOING TO FUCKING STAB YOU!" [From out of the blue, on a city street in Chicago]

	Key word: stab

	Category: 83 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Heavy duty.

	You hold back: "Scheisse! ... Icy Fire! ... Icy Fire! ... Scheiße! ... Real Axe! ... Real Axe! ... REAL AXE! ... (What you've just done is say "Shit!" in German, "I see fire!" twice, in plain English, "Shit!" again, in proper German, followed by "Relax!" three times in English. Circle some random parked park until a taxi comes along, then calmly raise your left arm and flag the cab. Taxicabs won't stop if you're being emotional or acting crazy. Don't go back. They've probably vandalized the parked car, thinking it was yours. Stay away from there.)

Lady Gaga at Harvard

—————————

[32]	"Where did they come from?" [Rat colony underneath the landlord's house]	—Not alone. —Tobacco Road.

[32]	"Well, sometimes you can't go around the troublemakers."	—All around. —The best thing to do is nothing, but you want to know what the possibilities are ... Tribes, it's all tribes ... It's good to have the options ... If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there.

[32]	"That cynicism is exactly what we're trying to change." (–Lady Gaga, Born This Way Foundation)	—Do less. —If you want to do something, just do it, and remember you're just as common as grass and dirt.

[32]	"Won't people be cynical about an agenda so simple and straightforward as kindling kindness?" (–Nicholas D. Kristof, "Born to Not Get Bullied," The New York Times, February 29, 2012)	—I'm retired! —Some people steal happiness from other people.


SAMPLE -- agenda

	They say: "If you touch that agenda, I'll cut your hands off."

	Key word: agenda

	Category: 83 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Heavy duty.

	You hold back: "And you know it."


SAMPLE -- he'd

	They say: "I'd tell you, but then he'd have to kill you."

	Key word: he'd

	Category: 77 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —It's terrible.

	You hold back: "Life is like money – You can't hold on too tight."

Patronizing & Vexing
S M A L L T A L K
Calibrated to send you
flying away in all directions,
or away from simply saying,
"I feel bad!"

[14]	"What are you doing here?"	—Nothing much.
[81]	"How are you doing?"	—Wide open!

[39]	"Are you okay?"	—Great timing!
[39]	"Is everything okay?"	—Very touching.

[26]	"Is this free? This seat taken?"	—Any one.
[55]	"Mind if I sit here?"	—Decidedly not.

[17]	"I'm sorry, am I in your way?"	—Otherwise, fine.
[20]	"Really?"	—BELIEVE me.

[21]	"Are you serious?"	—Very mysterious.
[17]	"So how are you?"	—All right.

[26]	"Is that right?"	—Thank you!
[88]	"Never mind! Forget it!"	—Already forgotten.

[33]	"Have a good day." [Angrily]	—Save money!
[78]	[Anything from behind you]	—It's magic!

[60]	"I haven't seen you in a while!"	—Out working!
[32]	"Where have you been hiding?"	—Not alone.

So, I Feel Bad! ...

(... Everyone Does)


SAMPLE -- friends

	They say: "Do you have any friends?"

	Key word: friends

	Category: 85 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —All over.

	You hold back: "They wear you out, don't they?"


SAMPLE -- scenic

	They say: "Is this the scenic route?"

	Key word: scenic

	Category: 77 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Next time!

	You hold back: "Unless you're unlucky."

How Not to Ring the Doorbell

Of Some Nitwit or Screwball

Who Is Basically Unhinged *

—————————

(It's How Can I Avoid You at All Costs)

[65]	1. If their theory is "you," simply respond,	—What's next?

[28]	2. If their theory is "both of you" together, involves "channeling," or has anything whatsoever to do with the dead, say,	—Socially challenged!

[81]	3. If their theory is simply silly, simply say,	—Wide open!

[03]	4. If their theory is some harebrained or pompous formulation of how the world works, say,	—And everything!

[78]	5. If their theory has an obvious alternative or is staked out as bait for an argument, say,	—Nothing complicated.

[12]	6. If their theory involves a bizarre twist or vicious spin on things, say,	—Really intense.

[37]	7. If their theory involves any further phony influence, say,	—Not entirely.

* If you're not a victim, people will
have nothing to do with you.


SAMPLE -- jerk

	They say: "You're a jerk!"

	Key word: jerk

	Category: 01 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Totally different.

	You hold back: "Don't include me!"


SAMPLE -- liar

	They say: "You're also a liar!"

	Key word: liar

	Category: 01 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Totally different.

	You hold back: "Maybe it's you."

A PERFECT GAME

Stays in the Dark *

—————————

TWO OUT	THREE WALKS	TWO STRIKES

[65] —What's next?	[81] —Wide open!	[12] —Really intense.

[28] —Socially challenged!	[03] —And everything!	[37] —Not entirely.

	[78] —Nothing complicated.

* It has to do with an ability that
grows in you – Shut one thing down
and something else takes its place.
("I'm finished!")


SAMPLE -- violent

	On the Internet they search for: «Violent verbal comebacks»

	Key word: violent

	Category: 86 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Way back!

	You hold back: "I just came in at the end ... It's better than sitting at the poor farm in high black shoes, not farming ... Maybe I should have a party ... I think I should have a party – but I'm not ... Lots of business tonight ... It's just a little story ... It doesn't have any words in it ... I'm not making any money, but at least I'm not killing myself ... What they mean by "take care of" is no fun ... This is a big moment for me ... Proximity to a vibrating string ... Does it strike fear in your heart? ... It hurt me when I was little when people called me a liar ... Now I'm going to have fun ... You always made cookies for dad; you never made cookies for me ... Out of the darkness and into the light."


SAMPLE -- people

	On the Internet they search for: «What to do when people tell you you are too defensive»

	Key word: people

	Category: 15 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —MY mistake.

	You hold back: "How can anybody tell anybody else what to do? ... Unless you think you're God or something."


SAMPLE -- Dick

	They say: "Richard, do you go by Dick?"

	Key word: Dick

	Category: 85 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Many ways!

	You hold back: "Maybe on a map ... Most people aren't ready for that."

Ways to be Honest

—————————

[41]	"Oh, have you got wet?" [You've just come out of a rain storm]	—Be serious. —Look off the starboard bow.

[41]	"You're back, are you?"	—Worth something! —Is that you?

[41]	"What are you doing here?"	—Nothing really. —Slumming, my dear chap, just slumming ... Casing the joint ... Collecting local color.

[07]	"Hi, stupid!" [From the four-year-old boy next door]	—Until now! —You have to know bad things!

[81]	"What's the matter? Are you ill?" [You're in a hospital bed]	—WORLD POWER! —One flight up.

[50]	"Oh, that's too bad."	—Another one! —Actually, I have something important to say up on a higher step, so stay right here ... Hi. I'm back .... Did you ever notice how you can never be sure where someone's coming from? ... In life you can only know what's presented to you, and I've come back with a gift ... It's uncanny.

[22]	"What have you been doing with yourself?"	—BACK OFF! —Are you the maintenance man?

[32]	"Where have you been hiding all these days?"	—Not alone. —The hills.

[12]	"Had your hair cut?"	—It's insane. —Watch for falling coconuts!

[41]	["What beautiful chairs you have in the back yard!"] "Oh, you saw them?"	—Be serious. —Sometimes you just pull in the sails.


SAMPLE -- replaced

	They say: "You can be replaced."

	Key word: replaced

	Category: 64 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Go on!

	You hold back: "They train you to work, shut up, and do what you're supposed to do."


SAMPLE -- loser

	They say: "You're a loser."

	Key word: loser

	Category: 01 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —MANY TIMES!

	You hold back: "Part of one big machine."


SAMPLE -- stuck

	They say: "You're stuck."

	Key word: stuck

	Category: 01 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Big mistake.

	You hold back: "You don't have to be."

The 2012 Documentary

B U L L Y

—————————

You can see there's an entity inside yourself that's like the most unpopular kid in the whole town, and that this totally isolated inner entity is inside everyone. You have to learn how to become friends with it. It's you! You can see the most popular kids in school are actually running away from their own real self, and will suffer terribly later in life. You're lucky to get your suffering over early. It's simply the human condition. Make friends with books. Make friends with rock collections. Make friends with learning the names of all the trees. Because if you can become friends with yourself, you can subtly become friends with anyone. A tiny seed can grow. Compassion: (1.) You're not the walking wounded; (2.) You're not a big shot; (3.) Avoid entanglements! (Bullies) (4.) Then choose your friends wisely!

[17] How :: —THINGS CHANGE!

[32] do :: —I'm retired!

[41] you :: —Be serious.

[21] know? :: —Very mysterious.

[32] Where :: —All around.

[10] have :: —Anything else?

[41] you :: —Worth something!

[52] been? :: —Well, okay!

[42] How's :: —Midnight Special.

[88] it :: —Already forgotten.

[57] going? :: —No shit!


RECENT ADDITIONS TO taxi1010.com

	They say: "Stupid people like to make comebacks because they aren't smart enough to make them up on the spot!"

	Key word: because

	Category: 78 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —It's magic!

	You hold back: "If you're a secretary when you're three, you're a boss when you're thirty-three."


SAMPLE -- name

	They say: "But you can't name the third one?" [Moderator (and unseen TV Producer) following up Governor Rick Perry's unscripted "Commerce, Education and the, uh, what's the third one there, let's see ..." in a CNBC presidential debate] (–John Harwood, "'Oops' Moment Takes On a Life of Its Own," The Caucus – The Politics and Government Blog of The Times, The New York Times, November 13, 2011)

	Key word: name

	Category: 11 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Totally unhelpful.

	You hold back: "It's like the most decrepit National Park on the earth."


SAMPLE -- does

	They say: "What does that mean?"

	Key word: does

	Category: 74 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Forget that!

	You hold back: "Stop worrying – Life is not a test."

Slowly Spinning to the Left

By Picking Pivotal

Trigger Words

—————————

[81]	"What's this?" [They're standing on the edge of a mine shaft with the intention of pushing you in]	—Wide open!

[81]	"What's going on?" [Your friend feels frightened – He's trying to make you feel frightened]	—Wicked, huh?

[81]	"WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?" [Your stepfather's screaming at you – You're only eight years old]	—WORLD POWER!

[81]	"What's up, buddy?" [A stranger is listening to the tone of your voice to see if you're a mark or a threat]	—Before this.

[81]	"What's happening?" [A friend is panting like a dog]	—Wide open!

[76]	"You left the heat on again and if you don't turn it off when you leave, then I might have to raise your rent." [Your roommate has sent you an e-mail, attempting to clip your wings]	—Very awkward. —It's mutual. I'm an American! Do it yourself!

[81]	"What's your story?" [An interloper is trying to impress the girls near you with his flamboyant masculinity – In many ways it's a lost cause – Wait for another day]	—WORLD POWER!

[81]	"Disturbing."	—Wicked, huh?


SAMPLE -- problem

	They say: "I don't know what your problem is."

	Key word: problem

	Category: 18 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —It's maddening.

	You hold back: "Alone & as is ... The Eskimo Rules."


SAMPLE -- lies

	They say: "Everybody lies."

	Key word: lies

	Category: 77 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —It's terrible.

	You hold back: "Choose your friends wisely! ... A small circle of friends ... The glass key of friendship."


SAMPLE -- paranoid

	They say: "Mathias said... This is nuts. Like the wit of the staircase filtered through paranoid schizophrenia. Almost better than Timecube."

	Key word: paranoid

	Category: 66 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Holy Cow!

	You hold back: "Each way."

By hearing, seeing & sensing (Like a cat!)
"catch-all" phrases,
you learn how not to take ownership
of either the good or the bad.
Simply be a person.
Mathematics takes time, attention, and positive feedback.
Why shouldn't linguistics? ... beginning at a very early age.

(1.) First, they exclude you;
(2.) With stereotypical taunts;
(3.) & try to confound you;

[55]	["Can I sit here?"] "No, I'm saving this for my friend." [Two preschoolers]	—Rats! —Being exclusive ... You keep growing, don't you?

[38]	"Hey! The orchestra's across town! ... Sweet and sour pork! ... His first loss! a Chink in the Armor."	—It's overwhelming. —Never quit ... "Don't let people tell you what you can't do." (–Jeremy Lin)

[20]	"What's 438 divided by 73?"	—Beyond that. —Sex!

(4.) So they can build you up;
(5.) Just to tear you down!
(6.) & change the subject.

[76]	"You and me! You're the best!"	—Even now.

[01]	"What's wrong? You blew it!"	—Totally different.

[78]	"Hey! Who's this rising star?"	—It's magic!


SAMPLE -- to

	They say: "So you don't want to sit with me?"

	Key word: to

	Category: 51 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —Nish nish!

	You hold back: "We're all animals ... Monogamy is not natural ... Maybe because your mother didn't die ... I wouldn't be surprised."

Street People,

Celebrity Interrogators & Beggar Children

Give you a Wonderful Opportunity to Notice How

The Trojan Horse

Of Aggression

Trots in Through the Gates of Pretense

(As a Parent, Teacher or Friend)

Scarcely Able to Conceal It's

A Horse of Another Color.

—————————

[12]	"How was your dinner?" [From a beggar outside the restaurant]	—It's insane.

[12]	"What did you have?"	—Really intense.

[57]	"Oh, boy, you're going to get some hot pussy tonight!" [Street person trailing you and your date after you've seen a play in a seedy theater district]	—Likewise. Literally. —Any tips? ... Didn't he have a great technique?

[17]	"HOW ARE YOU DOING, SIR? I AM YOUR HOST." [Busboy in a cafeteria, surprising you]	—All right. —Have mercy!

[27]	"Yo, baby, I want to drink your bath water!"	—Sure, Jack! —Do they deliver?

[27]	"Do you have a pen in your purse?"	—Hold it!! —Something better! —Find a dog!

[27]	[Someone making bedroom eyes at your girlfriend]	—Just wait! —One day you can have one of your own.

[27]	"Can you get one more?"	—Not recently. —Enough is enough. Don't do too much.


SAMPLE -- nice

	They say: "You're too nice." [Teenage girl to teenage boy]

	Key word: nice

	Category: 45 (out of eighty-eight categories)

	You say: —It's shocking.

	You hold back: "So what are you going to do about it? ... Suffer! ... You're supposed to suffer for three days."

writer - Richard Ames Hart - San Francisco CA USA

painter - Amoret Phillips, and family - Boone NC USA

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