The Worst Thing You Can Say to Your Girlfriend in a Fight

Fight
Fight

By Chiara Atik for HowAboutWe

Modern Man recently posted an article entitled, "How to Win an Argument With Your Girlfriend," which I obviously immediately read, because, well, gotta know the enemy's strategies, right?

The article was full of sound advice - talk in the first person, don't bring your friend's opinions into it, don't make empty threats, etc, etc. But one point in particular struck me as especially sage advice for guys who find themselves arguing with their girlfriends.

Related:The Six Words You Should Never Utter on a First Date

No matter how ugly things get, no matter how angry you feel, there is one thing you must never, ever, ever say to a woman:

"Calm down."

Aaaaaarrrrrrgggghhhhh there is nothing more belittling or aggravating than a guy who tells you to calm down.

First of all, I am calm. You don't want to see not calm.

Related: The Break-Up Tipping Point

Second of all, telling me to "relax" or "calm down" is basically the same thing as telling me I'm overreacting to a problem, which is really condescending. If you want me to respect your point of view, you sure as hell better respect mine.

Telling me to "settle down," "take it easy," or "chill" are all ways of passive-aggressively communicating that you think I'm behaving irrationally, or, dare I say, hysterically. Which, given its dicey etymology, is another word you really, really want to avoid while arguing with a woman.

Good luck, guys!

Related: The Worst Thing You Can Do in a New Relationship? GChat.