I was sarging 2 different HBs yesterday and they both did something I didn't expect: a self-neg. How do you handle these? I don't want to break their balls too much when they self-neg, but there has to be a way to turn it into a positive. Perhaps it's some kind of strange shit-test or some other trap of some kind(?) Here are the relevant parts of the conversation:
First girl: a Brazilian HB8 who speaks perfect English (she's a teacher), but I'm sarging her in her native language (Portugese) just for fun. I really really suck at Portugese, but it's still fun! Overall I am getting a good vibe from her.
HB8: you used the wrong tense ... you used the formal when you should have used informal. it was like calling me miss or madam in english
Me: it's hard for me ... i think of you as a strict teacher so i talk to you formally, like i would to an old lady
[Notice the hard NEG]HB8: you really don't have to be formal with me ... i'm not your teacher and i'm younger than you [She hard NEGs me back / Shit-tests me]
Me: what ... so now I'm too old for you all the sudden? [Me laying on a soft NEG]
HB8: do i really sound so strict? i'm so sorry
[WTF a self-neg?!?!?]Second girl: an HB7 who I just met yesterday. I'm getting a less good vibe from her. Here we are midway through the conversation:
Me: no, I'm not adding you as a friend yet ... why don't you tell me something about yourself to convince me of why I should add you
HB7: that is the worst line I have ever heard ... u definitely need to work on your lines
[shit-test] i don't know what u want to know abotu me ... i'm really pretty boring [WTF another self-neg?!?!] i like to run, work out, and hang out with my friends