The Power of Silence
In English-speaking cultures, silence is often uncomfortable. In fact, research shows that after just four seconds of silence in a conversation, most people start to feel uneasy. This can work to your advantage, especially in heated arguments.
When emotions are running high, and the other person is too fired up to listen, the best course of action is often to say nothing. Let the silence stretch out, and eventually, the other person will start to feel the pressure of the pause. In many cases, they'll calm down enough to listen to reason, and the conversation can proceed more productively.
