"Believe it or not, saying nothing can be emotionally coercive as well. When you deal with a conflict, or even a feeling of being wronged that goes undiscussed by not talking about it, you leave the other person with few options other than to try to appease you.
“It’s often done to ‘break them down’ into an apology,” Firstein says. “It’s OK to take some time and cool off, but when it’s long, it can be manipulative, as it forces the other to give in.”
The irony is that this behavior often comes from a place of hurt. “People are unknowingly manipulative when they use silence as a weapon. It’s an ineffective way of dealing with the hurt,” Hendrix says. It’s always better to clear the air; that way, your friend or partner has a chance to explain their behavior without buckling to an apology that they might not feel is due, which can lead to resentment down the line"
Oct 18, 2022
by
BM™
