Topic VS Person
Awkward Scenarios
Size of the problem
How would you feel?
Unexpected behaviors
100
Edwin is talking about his trip to the dinosaur museum! You ask him which museum and realize you've been there too! You jump up and down and as he is speaking, you cut him off and tell him about your favorite exhibit in the museum. Are you interested in The person: Edwin or The topic: what Edwin is talking about?
The topic: What Edwin is talking about.
100
Edwin is talking about his trip to the dinosaur museum! You ask him which museum and realize you've been there too! You jump up and down and as he is speaking, you cut him off and tell him about your favorite exhibit in the museum. What is something you can do instead in this scenario?
Wait For Edwin to finish speaking about his experience/ Apologize for cutting him off and let him finish.
100
You stub your toe against the table and wince in pain and shout "ow!" What is the size of the problem and what are two solutions? How was your response?
little to medium; get an Ice Pack, take a seat or walk carefully; appropriate response
100
Your brother is telling you about his day at school. You have a headache, and his day at school is boring to you. You sigh and abruptly state "Shut up, you're annoying me!" Your brother furrows his brow and says "Whatever" and walks away with loud footsteps. What are two things you could do in this situation?
Say I'm sorry but I have a headache, say excuse me can we change the topic, tell you're brother you don't feel well and don't really want to talk right now.
100
Your brother is talking to you about a book you haven't read. As he is explaining the plot to you, you begin to zone out. After he finishes you say "huh?"
What is the unexpected behavior? What could you do instead?
saying "huh," say, I'm sorry can you repeat that.
200
You are playing a trading card game with your friends Billy and Mandy. Mandy has a really valuable card that she said she was going to show you later. At the end of the match, Mandy trades cards with Carl but still wants to have a conversation with you. You decide to talk to Carl instead of Mandy.
What is the topic? Are you more interested in the Topic or the Person?
The Card ; more interested in the Topic because You no longer wanted to talk to the person (Mandy) once she didn't have the card.
200
At the dinner table, your parents begin to discuss a homework assignment that your brother has and you state "I'm leaving," and walk away without clearing your plate. What should you do or say instead?
Ask "May I be excused please?" Wait till everyone finishes dinner, ask to leave and clear your plate.
200
One of your dogs have run away! What's the size of this problem and what can you do in this situation?
Medium to Big, Call his/her name outside, ask your parents for help, make a missing sign on the computer and post it around the neighborhood.
200
You and your friends were goofing around and running in the hallways. You accidentally bumped into Aiden who was eating chocolate ice cream and it gets on his white shirt. He remains silent and his eyes begin to water. How is he feeling and what can you do in this situation?
1. sad, embarrassed, overwhelmed, dirty, frustrated, angry
2. apologize, offer to help him clean it up
200
Instead of saying "wait what?" what can you ask? When you say wait what, how do you come across? How is the boy in this picture feeling?
1. I got distracted, could you please repeat that
300
Your brother is talking to you about a book you haven't read. As he is explaining the plot to you, you catch yourself zoning out, but focus again on what they're saying. After he finishes you say "I'm glad you found a book you like."
Are you more interested in the Topic or The Person?
More interested in the person because even though what they said bored you, you commented on it!
300
Your parents want you to be nice to Tommy because he is the son of your parents' close friends. You think Tommy is obnoxious and really do not want to go to his house. What can you do?
1. Tell you parents that you are not excited to hang out with Tommy but will do so anyway
2. Ask if you can all leave early
3. Try to get to know Tommy to see if you have anything in common
300
Your game control stops working in the middle of a race in Super Mario Kart and causes you to loose against your brothers even though you were winning! You throw the remote on the floor and storm out of the room. What is the size of this problem? What are two solutions?
1. ask your brothers to pause the game so you can plug in the control
2. ask your brothers for a rematch and nicely explain that you do not think it is fair since your controller died
Little
300
You gave everyone in the class except Carol a Valentine's day card because you know she's not into holiday stuff. Carol's face looks down. When you say hi to her after class, she packs up her books and quickly walks away. How is Carol feeling? Why?
1. Sad, embarrassed, left out, alone
2. She thinks you really don't like her because everyone in class got a card except for her
300
Instead of saying "can we just move on already?" what can you say? Why is it inappropriate to ask someone to "just move on?"
1. I'm ready to move to the next speech task
2. Excuse me can we shorten how much time we spend on this activity.
400
Your teacher is explaining a technical term in math class and it's too complicated. You start drawing on your scratch paper rather than trying to solve the person? Where is your interest in this scenario? What or who should it be on? Could it be on both?
1. Your interest is in the drawing
2. It should be on the topic being math and in the teacher since she is teaching it
400
Your grandmother buys you a sweater for Saint Patrick's day that she really wants you to wear in a family photo. You tell her no thank you. How do you think she feels? What can be done or said instead?
1. Sad, disappointed, unappreciated
2. Tell her Thank you and wear it anyway, remember that it is only for one family photo
400
You are assigned to do an art project with a partner. You are very excited to tell your partner about your ideas that you feel is a creative design; however, your partner keeps cutting you off and suggesting her own ideas. You feel angry because she won't let you talk and shout "I don't want to work with you anymore!" and leave the art room. What was the size of the problem? What are two alternative solutions?
1. little/ small
2. Excuse me, you have been cutting me off
3. Those are cool ideas but would you like to hear my ideas?
400
Andrea's family was super busy this week! She was fearful that someone would forget about her birthday on Saturday. On Friday she asked her parents if they had any plans for tomorrow? Her parents replied "Nothing really, why?" She said never mind and ran to her room and cried. She did not come out for dinner time, and went to sleep for the night. The next morning, her brother, sister, and parents yelled "SURPRISE!" and brought a cake to her room! How do you think Andrea felt Saturday morning?
1. Relieved, happy, surprised
400
Something about the computer is bothering you. You throw your blanket over your head and turn off your computer. Shelby and Crystal are confused and are unsure if you are still participating in the video chat. How can you replace this behavior?
1. explain what is wrong
2. switch devices
3. ask for help from them or your parents
500
Sally has started to talk about her cat Mr. Miles. You don't really care for cats but you remember Sally always listens to you when you talk. What/who should you be interested in right now and why? How can you show your interest then?
Sally because she is a good friend
Make a comment!
500
Sally has started to talk about her cat Mr. Miles. You don't really care for cats but you remember Sally always listens to you when you talk. You begin to huff and puff and tilt your head back in your seat as you are listening to her. How could you participate in this conversation?
1. It's nice that you have a pet
2. Even though I don't have a cat I have 3 dogs!
3. Mr. Miles sounds like an interesting Cat
500
Phil is walked across the street without looking because he was distracted by his phone. As a car came to a screeching halt, he banged on the hood and shouted "hey I'm walking here!" What is the size of the problem? What could Phil have done instead?
Medium, look both ways before crossing the street!
500
Your friend Michael has packed on some pounds recently and he look really different to you. You begin to poke his side because you think its soft. He fidgets around and asks "hey can you please stop?" In response you ask "What happened to you? How did you get so big?" Michael shoves you to stop you from poking him, and furrows his brow. "Leave me alone" he says and walks away. How is Michael feeling? What are two things you could do or say instead? What could Michael have said??
1. Michael are you doing okay?
2. don't mention it
3. offer to play a sport with him or play outside when you visit each other's house.
Michael could have expressed how you hurt his feelings or that he didn't appreciate that.
500
How does someone feel when you say "huh" or what was that? Why is it important to find alternative things to say in instances where you might have gotten distracted?
1. unheard, unappreciated, sad, annoyed, tired, disappointed
2. So people know they are important to us