8 Innocent-Sounding Phrases People Use to Emotionally Blackmail You To Get Their Way
Learn to spot them and protect yourself from manipulation.
Sometimes, you can be at the receiving end of subtle emotional manipulation without realizing it.
Manipulative people, including those who may not necessarily be manipulators but have a personal agenda, often use seemingly innocent phrases that, upon closer examination, are intended to emotionally blackmail you into acting in their favor.
These statements usually work by inducing guilt, fear, or a sense of obligation, thereby triggering unconscious compliance from you.
I have been at the receiving end of subtle emotional blackmail and I can tell you, it doesn’t end well.
Based on my experience, here are eight often innocent-sounding phrases people use to manipulate you into doing what they want.
“I Was Just Joking”
I’ve seen this happen many times. You come to work, and your colleague looks at you, bursts out laughing, and makes insulting remarks about your appearance or dress sense.
They make you feel foolish. You’re angered and offended by their behavior and want to report them to your supervisor for harassment.
