epiphany, not epithet.

It's often mentioned that males need to have their egos stroked.

And it's also mentioned that when dealing with an upset person, one must be able to read a situation as to not exacerbate the situation.

And I have just had a moment in which I have finally adequately put both of those statements to use, and honestly, I am a little proud. My friend Joe is upset about some chick and he's making all sorts of graphic death wishes on her.

My response to cool him? "You're stronger than to let some little thing like that infuriate you this much."

Stroking the ego by encouraging him to be better than the anger, and as a result? Said frustrated friend has toned it down and come back from the snarling beast he was. Is now just merely a steamed up teenager. It's manipulating a little bit, but the good kind.