Sometimes telling someone to “calm down” is actually appropriate, but mostly it’s straight up gaslighting. If someone reacts negatively to hearing that, they very likely have a good reason. This meme is misogynistic .
Was gonna say that but you did it better
Can’t think of a situation where ‘calm down’ is a constructive thing to say
I mean, I’m prone to spiralling occasionally and having someone call it out can help ground me, but ymmv
It sometimes works with our neurotic dog.
Emergency situations. There are others. Just because you think all your emotions are valid doesn’t mean they are helpful to those around you.
Jokes aside, I know there’s many situations where you should help someone to calm down. What I mean is that phrase won’t achieve that.
To be fair. I was frustrated 5 mins ago. Needed a break. The phrase ‘calm down’ in this meme made me crack a smile and I actually did calm. So in a weird backwards way it actually worked.
Calm down
When my toddler is over excited and bouncing around too enthusiastically and is about to hurt himself. It seems to work OK to ask him to calm down.
That’s one specific situation from my life, since you seemed to imply you were looking for an example.
Calm down.
Constructive
has panic ever actually helped? Staying calm is generally a good idea
Never in the history of ever has calm down ever caused someone to calm down.
Works if it comes from someone you respect/ look up too. If a doctor or EMT says it, it tends to have more effect. Because the people believe they are working in their best interest. Anyone who gets more upset at their partner for saying calm down either does not trust them to have their best interest at heart at that time, or does not respect them.
Tay swift has entered the chat
