:TACTICAL NEGOTIATION:207 POWER PLAYS

When said to an adult these can cause self-doubt and an imbalance of emotional power in the relationship. The goal of each is to make the other feel emotionally or intellectually inferior to the speaker.

  1. If you are so unhappy/ miserable why are you still here?
  2. If you are so unhappy, why don’t you leave?
  3. Why are you so insecure? 
  4. Are you so insecure that you have to go through all of my things and check/spy on me?
  5. Why can’t you trust people, are you that messed up?
  6. You are just being mean.
  7. Why won’t you let me love you?
  8. This is why you are alone.
  9. This is why no one loves/ likes you.
  10. This is why you don’t have friends.
  11. No one really likes you.
  12. No wonder no one likes you.
  13. No one will tell you, but you__________
  14. You don’t have friends you have clients/co-workers/etc.
  15. You are just trying to hurt me.
  16. You enjoy causing trouble don’t you?
  17. You think you are so good/perfect. You aren’t good/perfect.
  18. You are so unfair.
  19. I hurt you? What about me?
  20. The only person you care about is yourself and your needs.
  21. You only think about yourself.
  22. You are so selfish.
  23. Don’t you ever think of anyone besides yourself?
  24. Nothing ever makes you happy.
  25. You say you are a loving Christian, but you just can’t forgive and move on, can you?
  26. Why are you bringing up the past? You just can’t let things go, can you?
  27. I’m so much better off without you.
  28. You owe me.
  29. I do everything for you.
  30. You are nothing without me.
  31. You were so messed up when you met me.
  32. There’s a reason you don’t have any friends.
  33. If you’d just listened to me, everything would be better.
  34. Can’t you be quiet?
  35. Can’t you leave me things alone?
  36. Do you always have to interrupt me?
  37. You talk to hear yourself talk.
  38. You think you can just come in here and talk to me/hurt me like this?
  39. You think you can just come to my work and check up on me anytime you want to?
  40. It’s not that big a deal. 
  41. So what?
  42. So I lied. 
  43. I still love you; you are the one that doesn’t love me.
  44. It’s all about you, isn’t it?
  45. Everything has to be your way, doesn’t it?
  46. It’s your way or the highway.
  47. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around you all the time.
  48. I can’t say anything to you.
  49. You twist everything I say.
  50. You put words in my mouth.
  51. You won’t let me make it better.
  52. There’s nothing I can do to convince you.
  53. You think you are so smart.
  54. If you loved me you’d give us another chance. 
  55. Why won’t you let me try to be the man/woman you deserve, you know I can.
  56. You are so unfair.
  57. You have an unrealistic idea of what a relationship is.
  58. You don’t know how to have a real relationship.
  59. This is exactly why no one loves you.
  60. Can’t you see, you are unhappy because you don’t want to be happy?
  61. Can’t you see, you are the one choosing to be unhappy? I’m trying my best.
  62. This is why your family left you.
  63. I see where ( inset person who rejected or abandoned you) is coming from now.
  64. Maybe you don’t deserve a family, have you ever thought about that?
  65. You are the one that’s controlling.
  66. You just keep hurting me.
  67. You just don’t care how much I’m hurting.
  68. No one tells you the truth because you don’t listen to anyone.
  69. The only person you care about is yourself.
  70. Good luck finding someone who will love you as much as I do.
  71. Just remember no one will love you as much as I do.
  72. Why do you think no one has ever loved you?
  73. The common denominator is you, I’d look in the mirror if I was you.
  74. No one can ever measure up to your standards.
  75. No one is good enough for you.
  76. People like you use kindness as a weapon. 
  77. I’m tired of being hurt by you.
  78. I should have known better, everyone ( even my friends,family) can see you aren’t emotionally stable.
  79. You won’t let anyone get close to you.
  80. You are so afraid of people. You are really messed up.
  81. You say one thing and do another.
  82. You say you will give me a chance, and then you pull the rug out from under me when I’m truly trying to do everything you want, and let you have your way.
  83. You think you are the only one that knows how to have a relationship and the rest of us are stupid.
  84. All you do is lecture me on how I need to be. 
  85. You say you love me, but you aren’t acting loving toward me.
  86. Everything has to be just so, or you threaten to leave/ do run away. 
  87. But you always come back, don’t you? Because all of this is just coming from your own insecurities. It’s not me and you know it.
  88. You aren’t going to find the perfect man/ woman. 
  89. No one will ever be good enough for you.
  90. You don’t think Im hurting in all of this?
  91. It’s not that bad, but you just have to make everything/it a big deal.
  92. I’m so tired of trying not to trigger your insecurities.
  93. You need to look inside yourself and figure out what’s wrong with you.
  94. Everyone is out to get you…isn’t that right?
  95. Everyone mistreats you, don’t they?
  96. Maybe It’s not everyone else, have you ever thought of that?
  97. Maybe you need to look at being more loving and easier to get along with.
  98. I only lied because I didn’t want to lose you.
  99. I only lied because I  was afraid you were leaving me.
  100. I only lied because you caught me off guard and it sounded like you were setting me up. I felt I had to protect myself.
  101. You made me lie to you. You would just give me the benefit of the doubt.
  102. I’m a good man, you just don’t appreciate me. 
  103. If I can’t then no one will ever make you happy.
  104. No one will ever satisfy you.
  105. You just won’t accept that I love you so much.
  106. Why do you keep pushing me away?
  107. It’s always something with you. It just can’t be easy.
  108. You don’t want anyone to love you, do you? 
  109. You are always blaming me. 
  110. I’m not perfect and you just can’t accept me like I am, and love me as I am, can you?
  111. You never loved me, from the beginning you tried to change me. and I tried to live up to your standards, I truly did.
  112. I told you that I wasn’t perfect. 
  113. You have unrealistic expectations. You will never be happy.
  114. You are too sensitive. 
  115. This isn’t that big a deal. 
  116. Why do you have to make everything a big deal?
  117. So I look at pictures of other women, it isn’t like I’m cheating on you. 
  118. I am the only one that’s there for you and you are throwing it away over nothing.
  119. It just pictures, and to tell you the truth, you make me feel like I’m not good enough for you.
  120. You make me feel like I have to perform.
  121. You are always pushing yourself on me. 
  122. You won’t just let me love you like normal. 
  123. You are so demanding.
  124. I look at pictures because It’s just easier and it makes me feel good about myself, unlike how you make me feel. 
  125. You never validate me, and just make me feel good about myself.
  126. You are always quick to point out how good you are, well you aren’t. 
  127. You are the selfish one, not me.
  128. Poor, you. Always being rejected.
  129. You just like to play the victim, don’t you?
  130. You aren’t going to make this my fault.
  131. What was I supposed to do; when you don’t get your way you make everything and everyone miserable.
  132. I was just trying to make sure we have a good relationship.
  133. You made me cover things up just to make you happy.
  134. Everyone lies…. It wasn’t that big a deal.
  135. You are obviously damaged, but it wasn’t me. You said it yourself, your family used you. You have real issues.
  136. What’s in your head and how bad you are hurt isn’t my fault you obviously need to deal with your many issues.
  137. You are making me pay for everything everyone else has ever done to you.
  138. I didn’t lie, I just didn’t understand what you wanted, what you were asking, what you expected from me.
  139. I love and need you but you won’t let me show you how much I love you.
  140. I’ve done my best. Shame on you for making me jump through hoops to prove I love you.
  141. She meant nothing to me, why won’t you believe that?
  142. You are just like your family.
  143. You are no better than your family.
  144. You are turning out just like your mom/ dad.
  145. Your family hates me, what are we going to do?
  146. Your family wants to break us up. What are we going to do?
  147. If you do _______I won’t like you anymore. Only weak people do that.
  148. I’m not the one that’s crazy.
  149. You are driving me crazy.
  150. You are manic.
  151. Please, let me be, just go away.
  152. Why do you always want to pick a fight?
  153. Can’t things just be nice?
  154. Just think happy thoughts.
  155. Things are nice right now, don’t spoil it by bringing that up again.
  156. How many times do I have to tell you no?
  157. You aren’t going to like my answer if you keep asking.
  158. Stop bothering me about that.
  159. Can’t you stop talking?
  160. Just shut up.
  161. Shut your mouth, or you will be sorry.
  162. How can I respect you, when you don’t respect yourself?
  163. Go look in the mirror. You are the problem with our relationship.
  164. You have to stop feeling guilty about not being there for your family and focus on us for a change.
  165. You are all over the place with your emotions.
  166. Can’t you control yourself?
  167. Get ahold of yourself or I will.
  168. Turn around, and walk away if you know what’s good for you.
  169. You didn’t see anything.
  170. I’m not telling you anything.
  171. That’s not for you to decide. I make the decisions. If I want your opinion I’ll ask for it.
  172. I’ll make the decision and let you know.
  173. I can’t believe you are questioning me. You don’t need to know that.
  174. How many times do I have to tell you to stop questioning me?
  175. You are hostile.
  176. You have an active imagination. Don’t you ever give it a rest?
  177. You think too much.
  178. I’m so tired of hearing about it.
  179. All you do is whine.
  180. Can’t you be still/quiet for once, and let me hear myself think?
  181. I don’t know. I never thought about it.
  182. Who thinks that way? You aren’t (that’s not) normal.
  183. No one thinks/feels that way.
  184. Your parents lied to you/ controlled you.
  185. Do you always do everything your mom says?
  186. What makes you think your mom is always right?
  187. Don’t you know how to think for yourself?
  188. You are so naive.
  189. You don’t have any idea what the rest of the world is like.
  190. You aren’t going to tell me what to do.
  191. You are going to listen to me.
  192. Don’t walk away from/turn your back on me.
  193. You always want to avoid the real issue…You______.
  194. You wouldn’t know the truth if it bit you on the lip.
  195. You just can’t see when you are wrong, can you?
  196. Do you listen to yourself?
  197. Just look at yourself.. how pathetic.
  198. You just don’t know what’s good for you.
  199. You don’t know what a healthy relationship is.
  200. You come from a broken family, how do you expect to know how to be a good spouse?
  201. It’s not your fault that you don’t know how to talk/ act/ think/feel your family is messed up.
  202. You need to decide between us and your family.
  203. When are you going to grow up and think for yourself?
  204. Why don’t you join the rest of us in the real world?
  205. You live in a fantasy world.
  206. It must be really hard being you. How do you do it?
  207. Can’t you get it through your thick skull?
  208. If it were anyone else, it’d be funny, but instead, it’s just so sad that you think that way.
  209. You can’t see how you use people.
  210. You can’t see how everyone feels about you.
  211. How sad you are.
  212. You aren’t going to just walk away.
  213. You are going to stay right hear and listen to me, do you understand?
  214. Why do you always feel so guilty? What’s wrong with you?
  215. No one feels like you do.
  216. You just aren’t right in the head.
  217. What’s wrong with you that you don’t think I love you?
  218. How do you think you will take care of yourself?
  219. How’s that going to work out for you?
  220. Do you think they still care about you after you treated them that way?
  221. That’s it, run back to your mom.
  222. You are just spoiled, you know that?
  223. Obviously, no one cared enough to teach you good manners.
  224. I swear if you don’t stop talking….
  225. I get it, you just need attention from other people to feel good about yourself.
  226. You need to seek for a therapist / spiritual help.
  227. I never said /did that.
  228. Everything you do is wrong.
  229. This relationship is $#@* because of you.
  230. You only think about yourself.
  231. You always like to play the victim.
  232. I don’t remember what you are saying.
  233. I’m Sorry to hurt you. I was not in mood, but it was your fault.
  234. You love to fight/generate conflicts.
  235. You are emotionally unstable / immature.
  236. You’re not a victim!
  237. You’re poking the bear.
  238. It’s like you LIKE this!
  239. That didn’t happen.
  240. You need help.
  241. You’re overreacting.
  242. You’re acting crazy.
  243. I don’t remember me saying that.
  244. How do you know I said that, cause it was me saying it.
  245. You’re too emotional.
  246. You took that wrong.
  247. You make me angry/act out.
  248. It’s your fault.
  249. You did that to yourself.
  250. You hurt your own feelings.
  251. You’re the problem.
  252. There you go again ” playing the victim”.
  253. You are a drama queen.
  254. My behavior toward other women is not flirting. It’s just my friendly personality.
  255. You’re making things up.
  256. I think you are having memory problems. You may need professional help.
  257. You are an even bigger narcissist.
  258. Why are you giving up on me?
  259. Your attitude is what’s wrong here.
  260. I’ve never had this problem with anyone until I met you.
  261. I didn’t do anything wrong, this was your fault.
  262. ( not bothering to respond, rolling their eyes, and waving as they walk away making a guttural exhaustive sound in their throat.
  263. That’s just how you see it because you’re too emotional.
  264. I guess you don’t see reality.
  265. Your perception of things is different that others.
  266. You’re just a sensitive person.
  267. ( eye rolling) Here we go again. It’s always something with you every other day.
  268. It wasn’t serious. I was just flirting.
  269. Are you happy now?!
  270. I’m not the same person I used to be because of you.
  271. Why do you always have to fight!
  272. You were so mad at me, and now you are fixated on me staying.
  273. You’re overthinking.
  274. “Satan, Get thee away from this woman!”
  275. Lower your voice.
  276. You’re paranoid.
  277. Everything would be fine if you just ___________.
  278. ( exaggerated sighs and grunts).
  279. We’ve spoken about this.
  280. Hurting me must make you happy, cause you just won’t stop.
  281. It’s OK to need reassurance.
  282. You’re too much.
  283. You over think things.
  284. You should see a psychiatrist.
  285. I’m entitled to a private life.
  286. I’ll change.
  287. ( Turning the main topic of conversation into your reaction and not what caused the reaction.)
  288. Okay, believe what you want.
  289. That’s not how it happened.
  290. You were traumatized before I came around so now you accuse me of everything.
  291. Why would I say that to you? I love you.
  292. What’s wrong with you?
  293. No one will love you like I do.
  294. You’re crossing a line.
  295. You need to stop and think about what you are saying. Do you really want the consequences?
  296. No one will want you the way you look.
  297. I was just joking. ( after saying something hurtful)
  298. Give me an example right now that you can think of. You can’t can you. You don’t know anything.
  299. You just gotta be the boss.
  300. The thing about you is________.
  301. I’m tired of you beating me up with your mouth.
  302. Why are you doing this to me?
  303. Your own kids won’t even talk to you!
  304. I’m the only one who understands you.
  305. Why do you constantly being up the past? I can’t remember that!
  306. You’re acting like a man.
  307. The thing about it is________.
  308. You’re own mom doesn’t want anything to do with you. ( after isolating you )
  309. Your friends can’t stand to be around you.
  310. Are you mad now?
  311. The reason we fight is because of you.
  312. Feelings aren’t real.
  313. You’re psychotic.
  314. Why don’t you go call your mom.
  315. You don’t even have any friends.
  316. (Laughs/cackles at you, ignores you, sometimes refused to talk for days, won’t look at you)
  317. You’re controlling.
  318. You are trying to change me; if that’s not controlling I don’t know what is.
  319. You’re the one that gaslights.
  320. (Diagnoses you – saying you have bipolar disorder /personality disorder/etc)
  321. Have you spoken to your therapist?
  322. You never tell your therapist the truth, you lie.
  323. I already know what you are going to do.
  324. There is no point in trying.
  325. You must have interpreted it wrong.
  326. ( egging friends or family on to be disrespectful to you)
  327. No one wants you here.
  328. The problem is I don’t set boundaries with you.
  329. Lower your voice the whole neighborhood can hear you.
  330. Your bipolar and need help.
  331. Stop playing the victim.
  332. You’re the one who ______.
  333. I was just reacting to you.
  334. You don’t REALLY think that.
  335. I just don’t understand how you twist everything into your reality.
  336. This isn’t Bambi reality.
  337. I think you need help do you want me to pay for therapy?
  338. You tricked me into this relationship.
  339. you take everything too personally.
  340. You can’t take the things I say to you in anger so serious.
  341. I never said that. Prove it. When did I say that?
  342. You misinterpret everything I say.
  343. You ruined my life.
  344. I never said that, you’re trying to gaslight me.
  345. I don’t know how them girls got on my friends list, I never put them on there.
  346. I just messaged her to see if you would get mad.
  347. You’re just looking for a reason to fight.
  348. I’m not playing your kiddy games.
  349. Where you been? Who were you with all day?
  350. You imagined it.
  351. You’re explosive.
  352. I can’t sit here biting my nails worrying about how you are going to react.
  353. You need to calm down.
  354. You’re the one who ______
  355. No wonder you don’t have any friends.
  356. What about when you _____
  357. Feel free to be wrong.
  358. You don’t know how you come across do you?
  359. I’m going to stop you right there.
  360. I lied because I was scared of how you might react.
  361. I don’t believe that to be true.
  362. Why are you so angry calm down.
  363. It’s your fault cause you made me do that.
  364. What’s in the past is in the past.
  365. What do you have that I could possibly use you for?
  366. The minute we’re good you go and look for something to fight about; if that’s what you want then why don’t you just leave .
  367. You are going to believe what you want you always do.
  368. What you said was childish.
  369. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
  370. This conversation is over.
  371. You’ll stop right there if you know what’s good for you.
  372. You just cant stop pushing your agenda/crazy on me, can you?
  373. You aren’t going to stop are you.
  374. Have you listened to yourself?
  375. You are so outrageous.
  376. Deep down even you don’t believe you.
  377. I’m done talking about this.
  378. Stop talking.
  379. Shut your mouth. I’ve had enough.
  380. You know you do this too me.
  381. I don’t know what you are going on about.
  382. What are you going on about now?
  383. Get over it. I was just kidding!
  384. I forgot you’re perfect, you never make mistakes.
  385. There’s two sets of rules with you.
  386. Get your head right.
  387. Well, do your best, just don’t let me down.
  388. I just asked you that question… Why are you asking me the same question stop playing games.
  389. I know what you think.
  390. You need mental help.
  391. I didn’t say that.
  392. Ok, I said that, but I meant it different way.
  393. I’m concerned about you.
  394. I didn’t realize ___ was important to you. (When you have spent hours and hours with that topic in the *forefront of your life.)
  395. I can’t do anything right.
  396. You’re the one that’s hard to deal with.
  397. You need to get your medications/lab work checked. You need to get evaluated for bipolar disorder.
  398. You need psych treatment.
  399. Its all in your mind.
  400. You’re the one with problems.
  401. You need to be put in a mental institution.
  402. I’m fine. You’re the one who’s crazy and needs help.
  403. You need to see a shrink.
  404. My friends know what your like.
  405. I don’t need to listen to this crap.
  406. I’m trying to help you.
  407. Don’t think your so special.
  408. I’ll make you childless.
  409. You’re such an exaggerator!
  410. Do you hear yourself?
  411. What a joke you are.
  412. Do you even pay attention to what comes out of your own mouth?
  413. You are missunderstanding all the time.
  414. No, you’re wrong.
  415. Why do you ask me if I love you don’t you think someone can love you?
  416. Nobody will listen to you.
  417. You are wasting your breath.
  418. Can’t you take a joke.
  419. You just don’t understand!
  420. There’s just no pleasing you.
  421. It’s all in your head open your eyes.
  422. I’m sorry to hurt you.
  423. You are just so sad to look at.
  424. You are emotionally unstable.
  425. You’re being aggressive/hostile.
  426. What? That’s strange!
  427. Don’t try to suck me into your crazy.
  428. I’m not buying your crazy today.
  429. You don’t know anything.
  430. I am a product of what you made.
  431. You are the narcissist. People like you are always trying to hide your controlling behavior under the guise of being nice.

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