There was a time when I was intimidated by loud people. I used to think that their loudness communicated confidence and superiority! Then I found out the truth. Their loudness communicates fear and insecurity! In fact, the louder they are, the higher their level of insecurity. They speak loudly to keep you at a distance. They don’t want you to get too close to them because they don’t want you to find out the truth about who they really are–phonies! At the same time, they are in constant need of reinforcement that they’re okay. So how do you handle such people? First, don’t be intimidate by their loudness; realize it’s a coverup for insecurity. Second, show them a little kindness, ask them a few questions about them, and listen to what they have to say. If you do this, you’ll be amazed at how quickly they calm down and start acting like normal, caring people.

One Sentence Wisdom

• “Most bad behavior comes from insecurity.” — Debra Winger
• “Insecurity is such a waste of time.” — Catherine O’Hara

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