Confusion Trance

The confusion trance is a technique for inducing a trance state by delivering a message that is extremely difficult to “digest.” It is based on the concept of transderivational search, where the recipient, unable to grasp the literal meaning of the message, turns to their past experiences in search of a possible explanation for what they’ve just heard.

How to Induce a Confusion Trance

During a conversation, people tend to open up. So, stay alert! Before you say something silly, think it through! Why do people say, “a dog is smart”? Because it keeps quiet! That’s why it’s smart. But people have to talk. Remember, your answer should be so thorough that the other person loses any desire to ask further questions. But don’t be rude! Respond gently, intelligently, as if carefully choosing just the right words. The more words you use, the less meaning there is! Naturally, your conversation partner will want to know your personal opinion. But how would you know it yourself? Still, your answer should show no confusion. Be clear, articulate, and incomprehensible.

There are three ways to give a comprehensive answer:

First Method: Answer What Wasn’t Asked

Question: How do you feel about cockroaches living in hotels?
Answer: I stayed at the Orion Hotel in Munich. The owner’s name is Helmut. Do you know him?

Let your conversation partner interpret your answer however they want.

Second Method: Overload the Sentence with Words

Question: How do you feel about cockroaches living in hotels?
Answer: You see, dear sir, frankly speaking, between us, hand on heart, as they say, in all honesty, under no circumstances can we rule out the possibility that in exceptional cases, such things do happen; let’s be honest, let’s face the facts, especially when it comes to cockroaches, I simply can’t see any other option! And you?

You can rearrange the words however you like; the order doesn’t matter, only the quantity. Your conversation partner will be left thinking for a long time. That’s fine—let them consider whether it’s worth asking you anything else.

Third Method: When They Insist on Your Personal Opinion

This is for when someone is determined to get your personal opinion. Some people are just pushy—maybe they don’t have their own opinion, so they want yours. Don’t get flustered! Let them search for logic in your answer. Searching for logic where there’s no meaning can make anyone’s head spin.

Question: So, how do you feel about cockroaches living in hotels?
Answer: Undoubtedly, the very fact of cockroaches living in a hotel is disgusting. But on the other hand, as living creatures, cockroaches have a right to exist. According to the International Convention on the Protection of Vegetables and Insects from January 20, 1978, section two, paragraph three (the more dates and numbers, the better—no one remembers them, so they’re always respected). Maybe people don’t like the presence of cockroaches. But what if it’s the other way around? We don’t know how cockroaches feel about us! That’s my personal opinion, and I’ll defend it passionately until it matches yours!

Rest assured, two or three answers like these will throw even the most seasoned businessperson for a loop.