Angry people will snap at you regardless of what you say.
What are you trying to accomplish by talking to these people?


I am reminded of the proverbial old man with a stick. He will beat me over the head no matter what I say.

Let’s look at my options. Like reaching into a fire, enduring a beating might be acceptable as long as it is short. Dodging would work if I were as nimble as can be, but I can still come out scathed and exhausted. If I succeed in disarming him, he could become bitter with pride, and ditch me. Leaving empty-handed may be a failure, but leaving empty handed and unscathed is better than leaving empty-handed and in pieces.