How to implement the escape option.

Yesterday I was talking with my brother. His youngest daughter [18] has gone away to college, and in relaying the conversation he had with her, four very familiar words said it all...a saying that started about 15 years ago. Its popularity has become quite widespread.
When my son was a freshman in high school, he and his friends joined the marching band. It was a great experience for them, and I must say the band was quite accomplished. There were many long hours of practice, and competitions to prepare for with diligence and precision.

Since there were Mon., Wed., and Saturday practices, I arranged car pooling with his two-three friends' parents. That way you only had to do the drop off and pick up once a week instead of three times. These were kids who went to elementary and middle school together, and now they were marching along together in fine fashion with a common goal.

So, it's my turn to pick up the 3 riders and drop them off. It's always fun to drive while listening with one ear to the conversation that's going on among the 14 year old boys. Like the time that they got talking about how you could tell if you were in trouble by the sound of their parent's voice. Dave said that when he was called by his entire name[ including the middle name] , he knew it wasn't good. We asked Scott and he said," Oh, that's an easy one. When I hear 'Jesus Christ', I know that I'd better be moving with a purpose!!". Much laughter erupted...oh, those were the good old days!

But sometimes, the conversation would gravitate to a less desirable subject. They'd get talking about the kid who hadn't been picked up yet, and so he could not defend himself. Maybe it's the teacher in me that couldn't allow that kind of stuff to go on. My first line of defense would be to 'clear my throat', and if that didn't work...the evil eye was sent to my son. I can raise my right eyebrow much higher than my left one. This tactic can be quite effective when used as a visual warning!!
Finally when all maneuvers seemed to fail in halting the unkind words being said, I jumped right in the middle of the conversation with, "How about those Mets!!!"
At first, they were a little bit stunned. But as I kept the Mets subject going,[they were all Mets fans...each and every one of them], the 'purposeful' fork in the road was successful. My son was well aware of what had just happened. I think I may have heard his silent,'whatever' [his favorite word at the age of 14]. But it was mission accomplished. And when the situation would arise again, another, 'How 'bout those Mets' was commissioned to help change the subject.
And thus was the birth of the escape hatch. It literally took on a life of its own in my family, with my friends, and in my classroom.

If something unkind is being spoken, if you are feeling that an argument is going absolutely nowhere, if you feel that no matter what you say...nothing will change, and if nothing good is going to come of the situation, just take a deep breath and say,

"How about those METS!!'
At first, there may be mild confusion. But it won't take long before you become very comfortable with it. And not only will people understand it...they will begin to use it.
It's the best, most immediate , stress reducer ever!!!