In the very charming movie Joe Versus the Volcano, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, there’s a memorable moment where Meg Ryan’s character, Angelica, asks Tom Hanks’ character, Joe, about his last job. Joe gives a complicated answer, and without missing a beat—but with a blank stare—Angelica responds, “I have no response to that.”
I think we’ve all been in situations like this, where someone says something, and we simply don’t have anything to say in return. In those moments, I hope you don’t feel compelled to respond just for the sake of it. Angelica’s reaction is a great reminder that it’s okay not to have a response. Sometimes, silence is the most authentic and appropriate reply.