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Never, Ever Answer This Question Whenever You Set A Boundary! It’s A Trap!
If you are not used to setting boundaries manipulators can pick up on this easily. And they use this one-word question to keep you in their grasp.
If there is one thing I’ve noticed about people who attempt to manipulate others through verbal conversation, it is that they always want to get their way with you. And that way usually involves them wasting more of your time that they’ve already wasted. So you best believe that they will make many attempts to continue running their mouths even when you are ready to walk away. And this attempt usually comes in the form of a question:
“Why?”
This question will almost always follow a boundary you set. Maybe you no longer wish to speak about a topic that bores you or even frustrates you. Maybe you are ready to hang up the phone and resume your day. Maybe you have evaluated the friendship and you want to part ways for good. Either way, as someone who is empowering themselves by setting a limit on people who are not used to limits be prepared for this question.
The “Why?” question is actually brilliant and serves as a subtle, innocent, and yet effective method of mental manipulation. This is because it makes the manipulative person appear as if they are caring and need clarity when that is not the case…