>>>>>I have done that, and it's good advice. Will see if I can reemploy that technique in the future. Either that or avoid heated discussions in the first place when I know I'm in a cranky mood.
>>>>
>>>>I've done that too, believe it or not. Even so, sometimes one slips out. I underwent "Verbal Judo" training a few years ago as part of in-service.
>>>
>>>I had something similar: five years of teaching in a vo-tech school (i.e. worst bunch in the area). Knowing that they won't keep their mouths shut during the class, I said it's generally OK to have fun, as long as we get the work done. And I said I knew they'll try to poke fun at me as well, which is OK, but beware: I fire back.
>>>
>>>So I had 200 of these 17 to 19 year olds every year training my fast talk-back functions... though we call that "verbal karate" :).
>>>
>>>It's been 20 years ago, and I'm probably out of the loop nowadays. Today's generation would probably talk circles around me.
>>
>>Don't sell yourself short. I bet you were a memorable teacher.
>>
>>Off for the day -- I have to shower for a date. Which I hope will be memorable ;-)
>
>Tell us how you got on. Perhaps we can live vicariously through you :-)

Don't ask, don't tell, that's my motto. I'll just say there is a smile on my face this morning. (I don't think that was too identifiable, was it?)