What to Say When: Surviving Sticky Social Situations

Therapist Julie A. Hanks, LCSW, Owner and Director of Wasatch Family Therapy shares her favorite phrases for handling sticky social situations.

Social Situations

Sticky Social Situation	Example	Try Saying This
You’re asked to do something you don’t want to do and it’s hard to say “no”.	An extended family member informs you that they are staying with you over Spring Break and you already have a full house.	“That’s just not going to work for me.”
You’re feeling pressured to answer on the spot	A friend asks you about your recent marital separation in the company of others.	“Let me get back with you on that .”
You’re asked about someone else’s personal life	Your neighbor asks you about details of your best friend’s financial problems	“That’s a good question to ask her/him.”
You’re in a heated debate or disagreement.	You and your spouse get in a no-win debate about whose fault that you were late for an important event.	“We can think different things and still be friends.”
Someone is expressing intense emotion about you directly to you.	Your toddler screams in the grocery store, “I hate you, mommy!”	“Wow! You’re really (feeling word) at me.”
You want to make a difficult request of someone else.	Your mother-in-law frequently gives unsolicited parenting, cooking, weight loss advice and you want her to only give advice when you ask for it.	“It would mean a lot to me if (your request).”