Q&A for How to Convince Anyone of Anything

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  • Question
    My parents took away my phone, how do I get it back? (My sister has all her devices.)
    Community Answer
    If you did something wrong, then apologize for it. Then try to compromise. Tell your parents you'll do extra chores for a whole week. You could also try telling them that you need your phone to do homework.
  • Question
    How do I convince my parents to let me stay home alone?
    Community Answer
    You need to prove to your parents that you are responsible enough to stay at home alone. Do things do all your chores, take care of your pets, be nice to your family or anything else that will show responsibility.
  • Question
    How do I get out of doing chores for my family that are gross?
    Community Answer
    Try to see their point of view whilst also trying to get them to understand your point of view. So for example, if you don't like doing the rubbish, tell your parents that you understand that it must be done but maybe you could compromise and do one of their jobs, so they can do that one that's yours because you find it gross.
  • Question
    How can I convince my teacher to let me work with my friends instead of my assigned group?
    Community Answer
    Tell your teacher you will work better and accomplish more with your group of friends. It's also important to realize that working with different people is a skill that will serve you throughout life, and working with new people may even help you make new friends.
  • Question
    How can I convince my parents to let me get a phone if I have tried the techniques in the article and they are still not convinced?
    Community Answer
    Show you can be responsible. Point out that you could call them if something bad were to happen. Also, try not to be aggressive with your points. Save up money to pay for part of it, or even all of it.
  • Question
    How do I convince the school board to let the students wear what they want?
    Community Answer
    Start a petition, and get as many student, teacher, and parent signatures as you can. Make sure you have evidence and reasons. Maybe throw in some examples, such as one of your friends not expressing themselves enough.
  • Question
    How to I convince my child to pursue a college degree? He was already expelled.
    Community Answer
    Talk to your child about his future goals and how going to college can help him reach them. Take him on a college tour and introduce him to other college grads that can talk positively about their experiences.
  • Question
    How can I make my girlfriend understand that, aside from her father, no one loves her as much as me?
    Community Answer
    Show her you care. Do the little things, like opening the door; sitting down and actually listening to her rant about her life; taking walks in the park; giving plenty of compliments.
  • Question
    How should I convince someone who has left my company that I want him back now?
    Community Answer
    The best answer is to simply apologize if there was any wrongdoing and then explain that you'd like him to come back to work for you.
  • Question
    How do I convince my classmates that I will accomplish many goals as the head of my team?
    Community Answer
    Introduce your plan very clearly to them. Tell them the reason behind you doing certain goals and your purpose in general. Show the things that you have already achieved in the past and finally, make sure you give a clear indication that you want to accomplish your goals at any cost.
  • Question
    How do I convince my friend not to commit suicide?
    Community Answer
    Tell him/her that many people love and care for them and that, even though it may not feel like it right now, they have a bright future and a lot to live for. Encourage them to seek help from a professional or call a suicide hotline. If you're legitimately concerned about this person's safety, tell a parent what's going on, or just call 911. It's better to be safe than sorry.
  • Question
    How do I convince my parents to let me get a phone?
    Community Answer
    You could give them a list of the good reasons why you should get a phone.
  • Question
    How do I convince people to help me?
    Community Answer
    You can start by gaining their trust. Show them you're a good person, tell them why you need their help, give them a reason to help you (i.e. if you help me with this, I'll do that for you). If none of these work, appeal to one of their senses (pride, community, modernity, family values, friendship, fear, justice, freedom, patriotism, tradition/custom, etc.).
  • Question
    How do I convince my parents to let me have social media?
    Community Answer
    You could tell them all of the upsides to having social media. For example, being able to communicate with all of your friends and relatives. You could also compromise and let them monitor what you do on social media, who follows you, who you are following, etc. I know that part may not sound so great, but it's better than nothing.
  • Question
    What if the person that I'm trying to convince is angry?
    Community Answer
    Try to calm the person down first. You can't convince anyone when they are mad.
  • Question
    If a thug attacked me, how should I convince them not to kill me?
    Community Answer
    The most important thing is to understand what they want from you. Are they a psychopath? Do they want your money? Do they want to show off their masculinity to their friends? If they only want your money: show you are submissive, take out your wallet slowly, quickly throw it as far as possible, and run. They will run after the wallet, not you. If they are trying to get social acceptance: Many people referred to as "thugs" will be in groups, trying to appeal to what the other members would want. You need to appeal to their toughness. If you're bigger, make them submissive, and be submissive if you are smaller. Give them what they think they want, to humiliate you.
  • Question
    How do I convince my parents to let me go somewhere?
    Community Answer
    It depends on why your parents don't let you go there. Just as the article says, you have to know what the place is about and explain to them why you want to go. If it's general issue that they don't let you go out much, then it will need more than those things. You have to make them trust you. You need to have a steady approach and act logically. Time after time of going out to places safe and close to them may make your parents more receptive to more distant locations or more "dangerous" activities. Also, make them trust your friends if you go out with them.
  • Question
    How do I convince people to become customers of a specific bank?
    Community Answer
    Know your competitors well so that you know what you have to offer that the other banks don't. You could tell potential customers something like "I was a customer at ____ Bank but I suffered a lot when it came to loans, it took me so long to get a soft loan," or "their interest rates were very high," etc. Have the facts at your disposal and be confident and polite when dealing with new potential customers.
  • Question
    How do I get out of working in a place I hate after I was transferred there?
    Community Answer
    If possible, request a transfer back to your old workplace. If you can't do that, then you may just have to find a new job or adjust your expectations at your new job. Work doesn't always have to be fun - you can just keep your head down and work for a paycheck.
  • Question
    How do I convince my school principal to introduce a new subject?
    Community Answer
    Tell him/her how the subject would be good for students in the long run, and/or what skills it'll help them develop for the future.
  • Question
    How do I convince my friends I don't have a crush when I do have one?
    Community Answer
    Show them you are not always focused on your crush. For a week, only focus on anything other than your crush.
  • Question
    How can I convince my cricket coach to let me be a batsman if he wants me to be a bowler?
    Community Answer
    Show him that you can bat for longer when you have practice matches. Don't be aggressive, and try to go after every ball. Coaches want their batsmen to be patient and show more technique. If you can play a decently paced innings that last for a little while, you might slowly get promoted to bat higher up the order. You also need to show that you can go after the ball when needed, so maybe pick out which balls you want to attack. And keep working on your bowling, if your coach sees bowling potential in you, you will probably find that helps you getting selected into a team.
  • Question
    How do I convince my parent to let me go on the school trip?
    Community Answer
    Tell them it is school-related and stress any educational aspects to the trip (what you will be learning about, etc.). You can also try telling them that everyone in your peer group is going and it makes you sad to feel left out.
  • Question
    How do I convince my parents to let me attend the school camp?
    Community Answer
    Tell them how the camp will benefit you. Maybe it will get you out of the house, or get you more exercise, you'll get to see your friends, make new ones, etc. Make a list of examples like this and present the list to your parents.
  • Question
    How do I convince my friend to join an online business that requires him to pay money?
    Community Answer
    Point out all of the benefits of joining this business. Make it known that you understand your friend's point of view, but that in your opinion, the cost of joining is worthwhile. If he ultimately decides against it, be respectful. It's his money and his choice.
  • Question
    How do I convince someone over a phone call to come down to the office for a direct talk?
    Community Answer
    Ask him to come down to your office and tell him it is important.
  • Question
    How do I convince my music teacher to let me quit chorus? She said we could only quit on the first day.
    Community Answer
    Pull her aside privately. Start off by saying you've been thinking about this for a long time, and use facts instead of opinions. Rather than saying, “I hate choir," say, “Choir isn’t right for me.” If all else fails, talk to the school guidance counselor.
  • Question
    I want to see my best friend again, but my parents won't let me. They say that I can't because I have been diagnosed with major depression and they want me to start over. How do I get them to let me see her again?
    Community Answer
    Try telling them that you feel really comfortable with this friend because you already know her and it's difficult for you to meet and get to know new people. You could also tell them that this friend makes you feel happy and less depressed.
  • Question
    How can I convince my parents to let me raise my baby the way I want?
    Community Answer
    You should be raising your baby in the manner you want, presuming you are providing proper care. If your parents are overstepping their boundaries, tell them this, and remind them that you are the mother and would appreciate they not interfere, in the same manner they expected to raise you without interference. If the problem persists, remove yourself and the baby from the situation and explain to your parents that you're unwilling to spend time with them until they're ready to respect your boundaries.
  • Question
    How do I convince my friend at school to refund me $5 for a phone I bought from him?
    Community Answer
    Simply talk to the friend. However, it is only $5, so you shouldn't ruin a friendship over it.
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