When I used to get really yelled at in retail, my go-to move is something I call the statue.

@ryanjamesahern

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Why it worked

The video provides a highly relatable, actionable, and slightly mischievous solution to a common workplace stressor, keeping the audience engaged with a clear, step-by-step narrative.

Summary

The creator shares a psychological tactic called the statue to handle aggressive customers in retail. He explains how to use silence and subtle eye movements to regain control of the conversation.

Structure

1Introduce the statue technique
2Explain the no-reaction phase
3Demonstrate the subtle eye movement
4Explain the power of the long pause
5Provide the closing line

On-screen text

WHEN I USED TO GET REALLY YELLED AT IN RETAIL MY GO-TO MOVE IS SOMETHING I CALL THE STATUE WHEN THEY WOULD REALLY START YELLING AT ME I WOULD GO JUST SHOW NO SIGNS OF LIFE WHATSOEVER AND THE ICING ON THE CAKE IF THEY REALLY KEPT GOING I WOULD MOVE MY EYES SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT JUST A LITTLE BIT LIKE THIS NOT ENOUGH WHERE YOU'RE REALLY LOOKING PAST THEM BUT ENOUGH WHERE IT MESSES WITH THEIR HEAD BUT NOT SO MUCH THEY CAN CALL YOU ON IT AND THEN HERE'S THE KEY ONCE THEY'RE FINALLY OUT OF GAS THERE'S GOING TO BE A LONG PAUSE YOU CANNOT TALK FIRST LET THEM BREAK THE SILENCE CUZ THEY'RE FINALLY GONNA GO WELL AND THEN YOU JUST GO WHICH ONE OF THE OPTIONS I GAVE YOU DID YOU WANT TO GO WITH

Original caption

Retail Statue #retail #store #customerservice #statue #justice #employee #jobs #jobtips #win #blessed

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Transcript

When I used to get really yelled at in retail, my go-to move is something I call the statue. When they would really start yelling at me, I would go, just show no signs of life whatsoever. And the icing on the cake, if they really kept going, I would move my eyes slightly to the left or the right, just a little bit like this. Not enough where you're really looking past them, but enough where it messes with their head, but not so much they can call you on it. And then here's the key: once they're finally out of gas, there's going to be a long pause. You cannot talk first. Let them break the silence, because they're finally going to go, well, and then you just go, which one of the options I gave you did you want to go with?