“Why don’t you tell me what you think would be appropriate?”

Useful language for handling complex situations like:

• A customer is unsatisfied.
• An employee is complaining.
• A friend is upset.
• Your sister is angry you don’t see her enough.
• A gorgeous Italian man is holding a very serious grudge because you denied his advances as you pranced into the sunset before you realized you were very, very stupid, and now you’re begging his forgiveness. (Torturous, I am sure.)

Most of the time, people just want to feel heard and validated. But instead of you stressing over the right way to handle it, sometimes it’s easier to simply ask.