Not surprised

Techniques > Resisting persuasion > Not surprised

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Whatever impressive, amazing and unexpected things they pull out of the bag to impress and convince you, remain unimpressed and unsurprised.

If they give you a present, say nothing and do not reciprocate.

If they tell you about things they have done, tell them about others who have done even better.

Example

I'm not surprised. You're like that.

So? What's special about that? I've done it many times before.

Hmph! If you're trying to impress me you are failing.

Discussion

Surprise happens when expected events do not happen. Persuaders will thus try to surprise you or otherwise change your mind by showing that you are unable to reliably predict the future (and hence should change your views of the world). By being unsurprised, you turn the tables, surprising them as you behave in a way that they did not expect. This puts you in control, at least for a short period whilst they recover from their surprise.