I just ordered some books about dealing with difficult customers. Negative people and chronic complainers can drain time and energy. As an instructor, I notice most students have an open mind for learning. A few students are know it alls and don't seem interested in learning. They prefer to argue.
I've mastered this, my dad was and still is the person who think you have to go to college, get a degree and that leads to a good, safe, well paying job. I took the opposite approach and skipped college to do real estate and built my own companies, no matter how successful I am he still thinks it's to risky.
I know he means well, but always sounds so negative. Friends will also always tell you entrepreneurship is not the way to go, drives me crazy, but I just move on.
Nice strategy.
I also take a look at myself. There are some days/times when I realize...
"nope, I don't want to deal with this now", and in those cases, I'll step aside so that I can return to the situation when my own mental state is strong. Granted, there are times when that won't work.
All terrific points. A negative persons attitude can become contagious. Don't let them get you down. It's very frustrating to try and change their mind it's stuck someplace dark.