The Grey Rock Method is where you deliberately act unresponsive or unengaged so that an abusive person will lose interest in you. Abusive people thrive on emotions and drama. When you act indifferent and don’t show your emotions, they may lose interest and stop bothering you. This is known as “grey rocking.” Using the grey rock method might look like avoiding eye contact, giving short answers, and focusing on other things when talking with someone who’s using abuse tactics.
The grey rock method is a strategy for protecting yourself from abusive or toxic friends, partners, co-workers, or family members.
This method theorizes that, when dealing with an emotionally abusive, toxic, or narcissistic person, withholding your reactions can put a stop to their behaviors. If you show no emotion they won’t get the thrill or enjoyment out of their harmful behavior.
It’s important to note that the person may get very upset when you withhold your reactions. However, right after the anger or escalation, you may get the behavior you want if you continue to “grey rock” the person.
“The Grey Rock Method”
Thanks for posting. It is good to have a name for a behavior one has used.
There is another method. I call it the “Yeah but...” method. It’s where you agree with them but slide in a truth they are trying hard to avoid.
Liberal: “We need to convert all energy sources to Green”
Me: “I agree and I, like you, are willing to pay more for it but the poor in places like Appalachia are struggling to pay their electric bills”.