It's a method that psychologists have taken up under the name of the "Grey Rock" method.
It's an example of practical philosophy that I like to remind myself of when I need it or when the moment calls for it.
For example:
At a party or dinner with friends. A guy or girl you barely know casually provokes you – just a little. To test you. I see four solutions:
1/ You get angry: you've already lost: this guy or girl gets the upper hand.
2/ You play along but can't turn the situation to your advantage.
3/ You play along and skillfully turn the situation to your advantage. You keep a cool head, are sure of yourself and, above all, because you don't want to be dominated in front of everyone else, you come up with a few well-formulated sentences, a few well-thought-out thoughts and the person who was scowling at you a few minutes ago becomes more tame and slowly sinks back into his sofa as if nothing has happened and pretends to be busy with something else.
4/ You use the grey rock strategy. Undeterred, you don't even try to understand the game this person wants to play. You aren't interested.
So there you have it,
I'm telling you that depending on the situation, you can opt for approach number three if you're feeling a bit playful, if you're sure of what you're doing, and truth to be told, a bit of benevolent revenge won't harm either the arrogant person or the gods, who would surely see it as just kickback.
Epictetus, in his eternal wisdom, tells you: