**Another sly trick of the narcissist is to use 'Oppositional Conversational Style' when conversing with their victim.**

This tactic is subtle, yet incredibly effective in breaking down your confidence over time. It’s when a narcissist consistently disagrees with, contradicts, or “corrects” everything you say—no matter how harmless or subjective your opinion may be. At first, it might seem like simple debate or even a difference in perspective, but over time, the pattern becomes clear: they’re not engaging with you to understand or connect, they’re doing it to dominate and devalue.

You could say something as neutral as “That movie was really scary,” and they’ll instantly shoot back with, “It wasn’t scary at all. You’re just too sensitive.” If you comment on how slow the service is at a restaurant, they’ll say, “Actually, I think it’s fine. Maybe you’re just impatient.” These aren’t just disagreements—they’re strategic digs meant to undermine your perception of reality and make you question yourself.

This behavior is incredibly condescending. It creates a dynamic where the narcissist is always “right,” and you’re always somehow flawed, mistaken, or overreacting. Over time, this constant opposition chips away at your self-esteem. You begin to feel like your thoughts, feelings, and experiences aren’t valid unless the narcissist agrees with them—and guess what? They never do.

It’s not a real conversation. It’s a power game.

They don’t care about the topic; they care about making you feel *less than*.

And they mask it under the guise of being “honest,” “logical,” or “not emotional.”

But it’s not honesty—it’s emotional abuse dressed up as conversation.