Hi friends,
We’re so excited that you helped Deadly Lockdown reach a #1 ranking in the Natural Disaster category in Amazon!
And Searching for Resistance, Aftermath #5, has been having a great first week thanks to all of you!
Not to mention, Deadly Escape, Virus #2 will be out in just two weeks!
Your reviews have really helped the books do so well – Thanks!
If you haven’t read them yet:
And a quick note: If you want to be notified when my new books come out – head over to Amazon and click the “Follow” button under my pic on my author page:
https://www.amazon.com/author/mistyzaugg
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When is an Insult Dangerous? Warning Signs #7
Here’s the seventh and final tip about behaviors that can warn you an attack is imminent from the informative book “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin deBecker.
Remember, no single one of these seven behaviors predicts that an attack will come, but if you see multiple ones, be warned.
Here’s the list of the ones I’ve discussed so far:
- Discounting the word “No”
- Too many details
- Charm and Niceness
- Loansharking
- Forced Teaming
- Unsolicited Promises
And for today:
#7 Typecasting (or manipulative insults)
A potential attacker will insult the victim to try to influence them to go against their better judgment and do what the attacker wants.
“There’s such a thing as being too independent, lady.”
“What? You’re too racist to accept help from a black man?”
“No need to be scared of everyone. I’m just trying to help.”
“You don’t want me in your car? You don’t give rides to poor people?”
Example #1:
A kind-looking man in the parking lot offers to help you load your groceries from the cart into your trunk. (possible Loan Sharking).
You refuse politely.
“Really,” he insists. “Let me help.” (Discounting No)
You don’t know him and refuse again, hoping he’ll just go away.
“I guess you’re too good to accept help from someone like me,” he says in a disappointed tone. “I just wanted to help.” (Typecasting)
Feeling suddenly guilty, you apologize and thank him for his offer.
Without realizing how it happened, you find yourself stepping back while he finishes loading your car with a kind smile on his face. (Charm and Niceness)
When he asks for a ride to the nearby gas station, (Loansharking) you find it very difficult to refuse.
***
This is an example of how a potential attacker will use insults and typecasting to make you feel guilty, hoping you’ll then do what the attacker wants in order to disprove the insult . . . which generally leads to you and him being alone where there are no witnesses.
Now that you know about this warning sign and can recognize how manipulative it is, it should be much easier to resist.
Respond with calm but firm instructions.
“I don’t need your help. Leave me alone!”
You’re not obligated to be polite when you feel your safety is threatened.
And remember, a stranger with no ill intentions toward you won’t try to manipulate you.
***
Stay safe out there! And if you’ve noticed any of these warning signs in a real situation, I’d love to hear what happened. I enjoy reading your stories!
All the best.
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Misty’s Writing Update:
With my mom and dad in town visiting and new books releasing, most of my author work has been squeezing in time to upload manuscripts, finish editing, set up advertising, etc.
The not-so-glamorous part of writing, that I was mostly unaware of when I started this adventure – lol.
What about you? Have you started a new venture, only to find out there’s a lot more involved than you think? Or do your plans always go along smoothly with no surprises? 😀
Tell me it’s not just me!
Happy reading this week!
— Misty 🙂
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