Best Responses to “Whatever You Say”: 75+ Awsome Replies

Responding with hostility or sarcasm tends to escalate tension. It’s often more constructive to find common ground or disengage from fruitless arguments.

When someone dismisses your viewpoint with “Whatever you say,” they may come across as arrogant, indifferent or confrontational. But getting upset is counterproductive. As an empathetic life coach and counselor, I understand the instinct to react defensively. However, staying calm and responding judiciously keeps conversations productive.

Below I’ll suggest 10 types of measured responses to “Whatever you say” that avoid needless conflicts. I’ll also offer specific examples tailored to both women and men. The key is addressing dismissiveness respectfully to foster mutual understanding.

10 Ways to Respond When Someone Says “Whatever You Say”

Agree Cheerfully

I’m cool with you disagreeing!

Rather than perceiving “Whatever you say” as combative, we could interpret it as the person simply sharing their perspective. Extending good faith keeps interactions positive.

Here are 10 more upbeat responses accepting the other’s viewpoint:

• Sounds good! We each have our own opinions.
• All right, you see it differently and that’s fine!
• I respect where you’re coming from.
• Fair enough, we don’t have to agree.
• You have every right to feel differently.

Crack a Joke

Thanks for the excellent suggestion!

Humor helps defuse tense situations. With some playfulness and wit, we could get conversations back on track.

Consider using one of these 10 amusing responses:

• I solemnly swear to consider your wisdom!
• Duly noted. I’ll alert the media!
• I appreciate you blessing me with your infinite insight!
• Thank you for those pearls of wisdom!
• I’m beyond grateful for your sage counsel!

Change the Subject

Anyway, how about this weather?

Rather than debating endlessly, we could artfully guide discussions to less controversial terrain. This refusal to engage disarms confrontation.

Here are 10 graceful pivots:

• Moving on…have any fun plans this weekend?
• So, catch any good movies lately?
• Read any good books recently?
• How’s your family doing?
• Have you watched any exciting new shows?
• Did you see [the news/ sports event] yesterday?

Clarify Your Intent

I’m just expressing my personal opinion.

If someone interprets our viewpoint as attacking theirs, clarifying that we merely intend to share ideas defends against accusations. This honesty and vulnerability can recalibrate conversations.

Consider these 10 clarifying responses:

• I didn’t mean to offend, just making conversation.
• I was only stating my perspective, not judging you.
• I’m not claiming definitively what’s right or wrong.
• I just wanted to offer another angle, didn’t mean to imply yours was wrong.
• I was only speaking for myself, not making absolute declarations.

Encourage Further Discussion

I’m interested to hear why you feel differently.

Rather than lecturing others, we could invite them to share their reasoning. This empathy and curiosity transforms stalemates into open-minded dialogues.

Here are 10 thoughtful prompts:

• What shaped your contrasting viewpoint?
• I’d be curious to better understand where you’re coming from.
• Help me see what I’m missing about your perspective.
• I want to hear more about why you feel differently.
• What specifically do you disagree with about my stance?

Ask Clarifying Questions

Could you elaborate on what you find unconvincing?

By inquiring non-judgmentally about objections to our assertions, we prompt others to substantiate vague dismissals. This constructive approach sidesteps knee-jerk debates.

Consider posing these 10 elucidating questions:

• What part of my viewpoint seems questionable?
• Can you spell out exactly where my logic falls short?
• Specifically what do you take issue with?
• Is there a flaw in my underlying assumptions?
• Does a particular aspect of my stance fail to resonate?

Find Common Ground

We likely agree on more than we realize.

Rather than polarizing discussions by fixating on differences, identifying shared priors reconnects us. This reminds opponents of overlapping beliefs and defuses tensions.

Here are 10 responses focused on similarities:

• Our core values surely align on many fronts.
• If we dig deeper, we probably agree more fundamentally.
• We’re each striving for better understanding.
• Perhaps we’re using different words for similar principles.
• It seems we share frustrations regarding the status quo.

Apologize For Any Misunderstanding

I apologize if I came across as dismissive or patronizing.

If we sense a statement has insulted someone’s perspective, directly acknowledging that makes amends. An earnest apology for inadvertently giving offense restores goodwill.

Consider these 10 conciliatory responses:

• I’m sorry, I didn’t intend my tone to seem arrogant or combative in any way.
• Please forgive me if I appeared at all hostile or self-righteous.
• I apologize for sounding egotistical and not respecting your stance.
• Pardon me if my words conveyed a sense of superiority about my opinions.
• I’m deeply sorry for offending and will learn from this experience.

Thank Them For Sharing Their View

I appreciate you offering your vantage point.

Rather than acting threatened when others think differently, validating their participation keeps connections intact. This graciousness regarding disagreements pulls people together.

Here are 10 responses confirming another’s value:

• I’m grateful you feel comfortable candidly expressing your perspective.
• It means a lot you care enough to challenge my assumptions.
• However we see things, I hugely respect your thought process.
• I admire your willingness to speak up about your convictions.
• However this plays out, I appreciate you adding your voice.

Admit You Could Be Wrong

My stance is open to reassessment if you present compelling counter-arguments.

By conceding fallibility, we convey openness to re-examining conclusions if confronted with persuasive contradictory data. This stimulates rewarding deliberation of substantive ideas.

Consider these 10 uncertainty-embracing reactions:

• My intuition could certainly prove incorrect or incomplete.
• Questioning my own certainty prompts valuable introspection.
• I’m fully prepared to amend my theories given new inputs.
• My hypotheses demand consistent testing against opposing models.
• I welcome having my assumptions stress-tested through debate.

How to Reply to a Girl

When responding to a woman’s flippant “Whatever you say,” remain positive. Avoid sexist assumptions while standing your ground respectfully. Clarify you intend no hostility so further worthwhile dialogue can unfold. But if she remains dismissive without engaging ideas, politely withdraw from the unproductive exchange.

Consider explaining your intent to share, not disparage outlooks. For instance: “I’m genuinely interested to hear your contrasting perspective and learn from it.” You could also politely ask*: “I want to understand what specifically you object to in my viewpoint. Can you explain where my line of argument troubles you so we can unpack that?”*

Deflect any irritable reactions by apologizing for inadvertently giving offense then gently restating your wish to continue valuable conversations. But if she persists in rebuffing discussion, amiably change subjects rather than take the bait.

How to Reply to a Guy

With male opponents, also emphasize wishes to trade ideas cooperatively not confrontationally. But don’t appear thin-skinned if controversies arise, since guys often debate boisterously without taking umbrage.

If he bluntly dismisses your stance, unruffledly reaffirm you merely want to expand each other’s thinking: “I’m enjoying our spirited exchange and value understanding how you see things.” You might probe perceived weaknesses in your reasoning so he elaborates beyond glib retorts: “Could you clarify specifically which aspects of my analysis you find unpersuasive?”

But avoid escalating tensions with undue aggression. Deflect inflammatory language by returning focus to issues, not individuals. If he remains closed-minded, good-naturedly agree to disagree then redirect conversations to more constructive terrain.

Key Takeaways

Lead with Empathy

Prioritizing shared humanity over proving narrow points builds connections vital for progress.

Debate Issues, Not Personas

Critiquing ideas is fair game, but personal attacks poison discourse and impede solutions.

Clarify Stances Respectfully

Misinterpretations thrive when we assume instead of asking what people truly mean to convey.

In Closing

Life routinely necessitates collaborating across divergent mindsets. By mastering measured responses to loaded dismissals like “Whatever you say,” we keep doors open for mutual understanding essential to overcoming collective challenges. With patience and compassion, even the prickliest conflicts can catalyze deeper wisdom through earnest back-and-forth. Rather than reflexively taking offense at different views, embrace disagreements as opportunities to expand perspectives on all sides.