Words to know

support one person against another in an argument

choose not to get involved

understand why someone thinks something, even if you disagree

Step 1 of 5

Listen first

No text yet. Listen for who, where and what goes wrong.

LeilaKwame

Practice · 3 min

Take Kwame's part first, then Leila's. Leila is intense and in a hurry; Kwame stays calm and slows the conversation down on purpose. Copy her sharp "So you're on his side." and his relaxed joke right after it.

  1. LeilaKwame, you need to tell Samuel he's being ridiculous.
  2. KwameHello to you too. What's he done now?
  3. LeilaHe wants to host Thanksgiving again. For the fourth year in a row.
  4. KwameAnd you want to host it this year.
  5. LeilaI've got the bigger kitchen now. And Mom's knees can't handle his stairs.
  6. KwameThat's a good point.
  7. LeilaSo you agree with me. Great. Tell him.
  8. KwameWait, I never said that. I'm not taking sides here.
  9. LeilaYou're my brother. You're supposed to be on my side.
  10. KwameI'm his brother too. And honestly, I see his point as well.
  11. LeilaWhat point? He has no point.
  12. KwameHe's done it for years. The kids love his house. It's a tradition for them.
  13. LeilaSo you're on his side.
  14. KwameI'm on the turkey's side. I just want to eat.
  15. LeilaKwame, be serious.
  16. KwameOkay. Why not do it together? Dinner at your place, dessert at his.
  17. LeilaHis house is twenty minutes away. We'd have to drive between courses.
  18. KwameEveryone needs a walk after turkey anyway. Call him and suggest it.
  19. LeilaFine. But if he says no, I'm telling him it was your idea.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.