Check out the video version of this guide on Howcast.com:
How To Cope With Being Teased
Get more great tips on how to handle peer pressure at Howcast.com:
Peer Pressure Videos
You Will Need
- Resolve
- Poise
- A feeling of self-worth
Step 1: Show them up
Show them up. Most teasers rely on humor that’s rarely funny and almost always pathetic. So the next time a would-be tormentor tries to make you feel bad, roll your eyes and call the fool out on their lame joke. Something simple like, “Really? That’s intended to be funny, right?” can shut someone up at least briefly.
Step 2: Channel your rage
Don’t give your teaser the satisfaction of making you cry. Instead, channel your anger productively, through art, sports, or music.
Step 3: Learn to talk trash
Learn how to trash talk like a pro. You might not be strong enough to take your teaser on physically, but you can certainly learn how to verbally judo flip him or her.
Step 4: Kill ‘em with kindness
Try this trick: respond to their insults and taunts with compliments and charm. This won’t just take all the fun out of teasing you—it will confuse the hell out of them.
If you’re a girl and your teaser is a boy, it’s possible said boy is stuck in the pre-pubescent mentality that “girls are icky but also kinda cute so I’m gonna repress my confusion by being relentlessly obnoxious and hope that she’ll kiss me.” That ought to make you feel better, albeit nauseous.
Step 5: Talk to someone
If the teasing is particularly nasty and/or you feel threatened, there’s no shame in speaking to your mom, dad, teacher, or counselor.
Step 6: Be proud
Remember that you’re awesome. Maybe the kids tease you because you love science or you wear pink Chucks. What do they know? People who are considered nerdy or different are often the ones who change the world—just look at Bill Gates.
About 30% of U.S. teens are involved in bullying in some way, either as a bully or as a victim.
