The Art of Verbal Self-Defense - Highly Recommended!

I read a lot! I mean since I was very little and first able to balance a book to read I was reading. I have grown to love all kinds of materials and have read/studied a variety of topics. I always find other books to read from the current reading materials. One reason I try and I do love to see bibliographies with the author's recommendations for I find real diamonds in those lists.

My latest diamond is the book, "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense," by Suzette Hayden Elgin. Let me try to explain what I am gaining from reading, studies, practice, training, etc.

Picture yourself going on a trip. You are going to a country where no English is spoken. You have no clue as to the language spoken at this country yet your are excited because you learned that this place was the absolute best in learning new and exciting things. Imagine how difficult it would be if you did not try to gain knowledge of how they communicate.

Now, you find a source that provides you English to "This countries language" and it provides not one direct translations but many examples that you can use to learn and understand to you can apply this when you arrive.

This puts language together to create understanding. If you had not found this or taken the time to learn then upon arrival you would simply have no references to draw upon to express yourself and to understand others.

What this book and all the others provide me is a source of words and meanings that provide me a tool to express or articulate meaning so others may "see" and/or "hear" knowledge which in turn they can use to build on their knowledge and ability to express/articulate. It is the most wonderful tool anyone can learn and use. Wouldn't you agree?

This book provides me knowledge so I can express something I may not know or may have known/understood in an unconscious way so now connect the new knowledge with the current knowledge so I can find new and different ways to articulate it to others. In the case of VSD (verbal self-defense) it now provides me triggers that will allow me to recognize attacks, both incoming and outgoing, and allows me to learn proper responses that are not attacks, i.e. direct or implied (presupposition?).

I have a personal goal to achieve more harmony in my encounters with other humans, etc. with emphasis on my personal relationship so find this tool critical in attaining that goal. Yet, as a MA I also "see" how it can be related to "awareness" which translates to self-preservation if I have to avoid-deescalate/manners to keep from using body mechanics/legal ramifications which in reality falls under the main heading of "avoidance."

Needless to say I recommend adding this book to your library and don't be surprised when you read it if you don't suddenly realize that you are actually using the attacks, i.e. blamer, placater, distractor, and leveler modes in your everyday conversations with others.

Awareness, the first circle of SD, is also awareness of what you say and mean as well as recognizing what others say or mean, i.e. both direct and implied expressions/statements/etc.

I would add this one as a MA Fundamental to teaching self-preservation strategies and tactics. Far more important than specific techniques -to- specific attacks.

Make Sense? Yes? No? Maybe? Comments ...

Bibliography:
Elgin, Suzette H. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Barnes & Noble Books. New York. 1990.