Validation‑First Conversation Norm

People routinely prioritize being emotionally validated over having their narrative 'believed' or adjudicated. Teaching a simple conversational rule—ask a reflective, nonjudgmental question like 'How was it for you?' and listen—improves interpersonal rapport, reduces immediate defensive escalation, and de‑escalates political or cultural disputes. — Normalizing validation‑first conversational norms could reduce performative outrage, lower social‑media escalation, and improve institutional trust by making public debate less about scoring rhetorical points and more about understanding motives and experiences.