The communications expert Franzi von Kempis gives tips on how to deal with right-wing populists. What helps in difficult discussions? What facial expression silences the other person?
Mrs. von Kempis, is it true that you can raise a single eyebrow?
Yes, the right one! When I was in my early 20s, I practiced this in front of the mirror morning, noon and night, I even used sticky tape to hold the other one in place to train the facial muscles. If, for example, a guy in a bar seems strange to you, this wordless raising of the eyebrows is often very effective.
You are now more concerned with responding to enemies of democracy than with unpleasant admirers. As a communications consultant, you are concerned with how to debate and counter right-wing populists. In everyday life, in the family, at work. How did that come about?
Because I know the feeling of helplessness when you get a chill in your stomach, whether it’s when you’re being hit on in a bar or when you hear a misanthropic comment in a meeting. But most of the time it stays that way and then the situation is over. So I’ve got some rhetorical tools ready to respond quickly.
Source: Stern
