When Friends Fight

When friends feud with one another, we've always found it’s best to let the carnage unfold between the people involved and stay out of it.

Piling on will just lead to an emotional pro wrestling match, but without the fun costumes and enthusiastic announcer. Don’t get sucked in unless you’re the one who’s been ditched, dumped, or duped.

Here are some tips on how to stay out of the line of fire:

1. Let 'em vent, but don’t add to the convo

Your fighting friends are going to want to talk about the situation. It’s only human. And your friends are human. (Right?) As a good bud, you have to let them gab about their feelings. Nod when necessary and make the cooing baby-like sounds they want to hear, but don’t add any other comments. You’re the peanut gallery and your input is totally unneeded.

2. Just say no to the either/or game

Because people turn into 2-year-olds the second they get their feelings hurt, there’s totally going to be a period when “I’m not coming if she is!” feels like the only thing your friends can say to you. You might feel forced to choose one over the other to invite to your birthday party, but you don’t need to play that game. Invite them both and let them figure out for themselves who’s going to be the party pooper.

3. Limit the chatter

The two people doing the Nasty Feuding Dance are obviously going to want to talk about it, and that’s fine. Just don’t discuss their fight with your other buds. It’s totally not worth any one else’s time. Focus on more important things, like what kind of ice cream to serve with your birthday cake. (Granted, that’s not a real discussion topic because obviously mint chocolate chip tops every other ice cream flavor ever created hands down, by far, bar none, and so forth, but you get the point.)

How do you stay out of fights?

Related Post: Ode to the Imaginary Friend