Q&A for How to Annoy Argumentative People

Ignore them. Don't say anything - don't even say "Stop it." They will soon get bored of arguing with you if you don't respond to them. Keep in mind that you don't have to be friends just because your kids are. When you must talk to them to get the kids together, keep your tone civil and polite, and don't interact with them otherwise.

Continue ignoring them, and keep walking. They want your attention, and when they see they're not going to get it, they will eventually stop.

Always be polite and smile sweetly. Never let them see you are bothered at all by what they say or do. Be your best self always -- it's hard to argue with someone on top of things.

It's a defense mechanism. They have spent so much time saying how right they are, it is hard for them to admit, to themselves, let alone to others, that they are wrong.

They never actually won. They can tell people about how they are right, and some may even believe them. At the end of the day though, if you have the right evidence and facts, you are still right. Giving further evidence is a way to prove yourself right, which is a way to make yourself seem more superior. The truth won't change though, so why even try arguing with an unreasonable person?

Calmly but firmly let that person know that you are not now interested and will never be. Be kind, but very clear. Then, do your best to avoid engaging with that person. With time, the obsession will likely fade.

It's great if you have a smart phone, because you can just look up the information right there. You could also ask people around you that you think might know about the topic. Otherwise, just say something like, "I know I'm right, and I'll prove it to you, but I have to look something up first."

Hang up, politely if you feel like it. Just state any reason you can come up with, at any given point, to need to hang up the phone, and don’t pick it up if they call back.