Smile and nod.

Boys and girls.

Boys when it comes to girls, sometimes you are best to just smile and nod, "you don't think these pants make me look fat, right?" 

Response: smile and nod

Girls when it comes to boys saying how they think friends don't like him cause he is not same style as them, smile and nod,  worst base scenario, you get him to quit walking around like he is the hottest tamoli around :p 

I think most guys have thicker skin than girls in some ways, so I mean really. Girls don't be afraid to use the smile and nod, boys, use it with caution. During arguments would be best though, it can be used to prevent arguments but like I said use with caution.

For kids, "Johnny! Go clean your filthy frikin room!"

Response: *smile and nod*

For employees, "Johnny, you are such a slacker. This is the fifth time you showed up late to work, you are not even. Clean shaven! Don't do this  again or it will be the last time."

Response: *smile and nod*

It is probably thebworstbthihg to do to build communication and your self esteem but sometimes, it's best to avoid headaches.

Good communication would mean you are listening to what the other person is saying, you are thinking to yourself in a thesis-antithesis-synthesis model and then taking that thesis or anti thesis and working towards a synthesis. Now granted you are the more rational one as always! And the other person is not just listening, this is when smile and nod is important. Sometimes we need to take one for the team. Obviously of you need to do this more often than not, the relationship is unhealthy or the communication between you two need to be worked on. 

Doing this too often will start to make you numb. It is normal to experience random outbursts and ridiculous moments of silliness. At least I feel like that is whathappened with me. It is important to have someone to take to the side and talk to about the way you feel. Otherwise bottling up, you will eventually burn out. 

Smile and nod. Smile and nod boys, learned that technique from the penguins in Madagascar lol

Cheers!

CB