We’ve all been there—stuck in a conversation (or confrontation) with someone who just cannot wait. Whether it’s a boss who expects everything yesterday, a friend who keeps tapping their foot while you finish a story, or that person behind you in traffic honking the second the light turns green—impatience is everywhere.
But before you let their stress become your stress, take a deep breath. There are ways to handle impatient people without snapping, rolling your eyes (at least, not visibly), or questioning your faith in humanity.
Why Are Some People So Impatient?
Before we dive into handling impatience, let’s take a second to understand where it’s coming from. Most impatient people aren’t just being difficult for fun (though it sometimes feels that way). Impatience is usually a result of:
Stress or Anxiety – When people feel overwhelmed, their tolerance for delays or slow progress drops to zero.
Personality Traits – Some people are just wired to be go-go-go, and waiting feels like torture to them.
Conditioning – We live in a world of instant gratification. If someone’s used to getting what they want immediately, any delay feels unacceptable.
A Lack of Control – Impatience often spikes when someone feels like they’re at the mercy of a slow process (like waiting for test results or standing in line at the DMV).
How to Handle an Impatient Person (Without Losing Your Cool)
1. Stay Calm (Even If They’re Not)
An impatient person’s stress level is already through the roof—don’t add fuel to the fire by matching their energy. Instead, stay calm, keep your voice steady, and don’t let their frustration rub off on you. Think of it like being the chill flight attendant during turbulence. If you don’t freak out, they (hopefully) won’t either.
2. Acknowledge Their Frustration
Sometimes, impatient people just want to feel heard. Instead of dismissing their frustration, try something like:
“I know this is taking longer than expected. That must be frustrating.”
“I get it—you’re in a hurry. Let’s see how we can speed this up.”
Acknowledging their feelings can help them calm down because they feel like you’re on their side.
3. Set Realistic Expectations
If someone is rushing you, be clear about what’s actually possible. Instead of just saying, “I’m working on it”, say:
“I need about 15 more minutes to get this done right.”
“This process takes a little time, but I’ll keep you updated.”
Giving them a timeline makes waiting easier because they know what to expect.
4. Don’t Take It Personally
An impatient person’s frustration is usually about the situation, not you. They’re not mad at you—they’re mad at the slow WiFi, the traffic, the long wait time. Remind yourself that their impatience is their issue, not yours.
5. Offer a Distraction
If you can, redirect their focus. For example:
If a friend is impatiently waiting for food at a restaurant, change the topic to something engaging.
If a coworker is frustrated over a slow project, suggest they work on something else in the meantime.
Distractions help shift their attention from why is this taking so long?! to oh, that’s interesting.
6. Use Humor (When Appropriate)
If the situation allows, a little light humor can diffuse tension. Example:
Them: “Ugh, why is this taking forever?”
You: “Pretty sure the universe is just testing your patience today. So far… not great.”
A well-placed joke can lighten the mood, but read the room—if they’re really about to explode, it might not be the best time for sarcasm.
7. If All Else Fails… Give Them Space
Some people are just naturally impatient, and no amount of soothing words or logical reasoning will change that. If their impatience is making you stressed, set a boundary. If possible, step away and let them deal with their own frustration.
Final Thoughts: You Can’t Control Them, But You Can Control You
Dealing with an impatient person can be frustrating, but the key is to stay calm, acknowledge their feelings, and not let their stress become your stress. At the end of the day, patience is a skill—some people have it, and some… don’t. But by keeping your cool, you make sure you’re not the one losing it.
And hey, if all else fails, just smile and say, “Good things come to those who wait.” (Just… be prepared to dodge a glare.)
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