Lucy: "Mr. Smith is refusing to accept my science project because he says my paper isn't long enough! I just don't understand; I worked so hard on that and now it was all a waste of time." Peter: "Don't worry, you can always enter again next year." Lucy: "I don't know why I bother talking to you, you don't listen to a word I say!" What adjustments can Lucy and Peter each make to their communication, in order to avoid misunderstandings like this in the future?

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Mathias Bishop

7 October, 20:36

Lucy: "Mr. Smith is refusing to accept my science project because he says my paper isn't long enough! I just don't understand; I worked so hard on that and now it was all a waste of time." Peter: "Don't worry, you can always enter again next year." Lucy: "I don't know why I bother talking to you, you don't listen to a word I say!" What adjustments can Lucy and Peter each make to their communication, in order to avoid misunderstandings like this in the future?

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Oswaldo Church · Answer 1

Peter is not validating Lucy's frustration. To Lucy, it seems that Peter is brushing her off. And Lucy should explain how his words are making her feel, instead of just exclaiming that she doesn't know why she bothers talking to him.