Ammo library
Staying Past Three Strikes
Stayed in the conversation after three deflections or failures to answer direct questions. Focus on reachable people; do not waste time on someone who will not engage.
The give pair
Gives ammo
Why are you dodging my question? I will give you one more chance. You seem closed minded, I am not going to continue.
Gives nothing
You're not answering, so I'll leave you with this: as long as you're not vegan, these are your victims. [Walk away]
The round they fire back
Keeps deflecting, reframing, or changing subject because you stayed past three strikes.
How to fix it
Any deflection or failure to answer a question you asked is one strike. After three strikes, plant the seed and walk away. Two valid exits: leave without another word, or leave with one controlled closing line, either a truthful judgment (what you support is disgusting) or a seed they keep (as long as you're not vegan, these are your victims). One line, then go. Do not debate whether they are dodging, do not give extra chances.
Coaching notes
- Strike = they did not answer the question you asked (deflection, tangent, reframe, subject change).
- Applies at every step: feeling in step 1, respect in step 2, contradiction in step 3, etc.
- Three strikes reached: disengage immediately. Walking away was correct; debating or labeling them closed-minded was not.
- Reachable people show empathy or engage honestly. Unreachable people deflect repeatedly.
- How to walk away: silently, or with one powerful parting statement. Name the truth (this is disgusting) or plant the seed (as long as you're not vegan, these are your victims). Say it calmly, then leave; never stay to defend the closing line.
Related lessons
- Deflection or non-answer = strike Holding the room
- Deflection loop scenario (common trap) Holding the room
- Three strikes, disengage The activist's mindset