"Grey Rocking" is the technique you should be using to get through unwanted conversations this holiday season

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While the holiday season brings people together and can be a time to reconnect and enjoy the company of family, friends and colleagues, it can also be a time of high stress. This is especially true for introverts or those who seek to avoid conflict. In a group of dynamic personalities, it is not always possible for everyone to get along.

Sometimes spending a few hours with people can feel like a few weeks, and this dynamic is multiplied when there is a narcissist in the group. They may seem well-meaning, but deep down they thrive on creating chaos and conflict. Who wants to take care of it during the holidays?

If this is a problem you've faced in the past, or if you plan to deal with it in the future, it's time to learn more about "grey rocking ".

Related: 3 Reasons Narcissists in Your Organization Are Impossible to Evaluate

What is gray rocking and when can you apply it?

Grey rocking is named after an object that most people find boring. The concept is that when someone you seek to avoid interacts with you, try to become like a gray rock. Make it as uninteresting and boring as possible. It won't be appealing to someone with narcissistic traits, and they'll pass on interacting with someone else at the gathering.

Narcissists strive to interact with people who display personality and respond to their demands. When someone presents as a metaphorical gray rock, the narcissist will find that they cannot manipulate the person because they have no power over the dull personality that is on display.

The gray rock method is also useful against bullies, including those in the workplace.

Related: The 4 Most Toxic People at Work and How to Deal With Them

Does the gray rock method work?

First of all, it is important to understand that you can only control yourself. You won't change the narcissist or their outlook on life. However, this method can help you avoid them.

If used correctly, the gray toggle will work for a while. In terms of avoiding narcissists and toxic people, the method is very effective for all the reasons stated above. People who exhibit the negative characteristics of a narcissist or bully thrive on interacting with people who react to their words, both visually and verbally, allowing them to manipulate their behavior. When someone is a gray rock, they aren't interesting or exhibit any of the feedback these negative people want to get. This will make a narcissist unhappy and they will move on to someone else.

However, it is also important to note that the gray rock method is not a panacea. It is simply a method to avoid toxic and negative people. The method can also become less effective if overused.

Related: How to Recognize and Work With Narcissistic Leaders

What are the advantages of the gray rock method?

When it comes to vacations and interactions with family or co-workers, it's just not possible to completely avoid people you may not talk to the other 11 months of the year. . Therefore, the gray toggle becomes...