How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Digression

Techniques > Resisting persuasion > Digression

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Take something they say (or anything you think of at the time) and head off sideways into memories or opinions.

Take as much time as you like and wander off into the wild blue yonder of your memories and imagination.

Keep talking and do not let them butt in. If they do, then just pick up where you left off (or start a new digression) next time you start talking.

Another variant is to encourage them to join in. Find something in which they are interested and start a conversation (about the football match last night, for example).

Example

You know, that reminds me of when I was young and we would go down to the river, Johnny Bowles and me, and there we ...

Good point. I also hate people who do not respect others. And it's mostly kids these days who you can't trust. You know the other day I asked a boy in the street...

Discussion

Digression fills up the time that the other person may have for selling, which means you can use the time left at the end to squeeze a better deal out from them.