I’ve really been enjoying the dialog in the comment section lately. It’s so cool when someone comes across an old post and adds a thought, and then suddenly others who had previously added their thoughts join in. It reminds me of one of the reason I enjoy writing my thoughts on this blog, it’s the great thoughts and input I receive from you in the comments. That said, I figure it’d be worth starting a little series dedicated to just that, the discussion. And fortunately, it’ll get some questions that have been nagging at me answered (and provide me some needed help).

Today, I’m wondering what you do to diffuse a tense situation. There’s all kinds of tense situations we run into, political or religious tensions with acquantinces, butting heads with a co-worker, dealing with a toddler, resolving conflict with your spouse. I’m wondering how you deal with it, in one or all of those areas. Any stellar, yet rare, advice on how to diffuse tension?

We had a creative idea once for diffusing marital conflict, but neither of us has been very good at inacting it. We decided that if any conversation or argument started escalating, either one of us should break into the Chicken Dance. The other had to join in. How could you possibly be mad after doing an impromptu chicken dance with your spouse?! (patent pending)

How Do You Diffuse a Tense Situation?