No one argues on TV quite like the gang from FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Whether it’s with one another or just about any other person that happens to cross their path, you can bet someone will be there to fight. While not all their arguments are successful, after 11 seasons on the air, it turns out there’s quite a bit to be learned regarding how they engage in conversational combat. The next time you need to win a disagreement, let these moments from the gang’s past help to sharpen your tongue.
Take the time to research your references.
Of course, having a couple references handy is going to help reinforce your point, but you’re going to want to do a little bit of digging beyond those one or two talking points you use to support your argument. If you don’t, you could find your own sources used against you, even if that source is a book that’s “long as sh*t” (Mac’s words), which could render your argument invalid.
Always keep your cool.
Nothing is going to make you come off like an irrational know-nothing quicker than acting irrationally when things aren’t going your way, and by doing so, you may have already lost. If you’re like Dennis (Glenn Howerton) and break down when trying to sell a car partially submerged in water, there’s no way you’ll stand up to an actual argument about something. It’s also worth noting that if this is a recurring problem, there are clearly some bugs in the D.E.N.N.I.S. System. You can do better than that by always keeping your cool.
Try and rattle your opponents.
While you’re keeping your cool, don’t be afraid to rattle your opponent in ways they wouldn’t expect. In one of the show’s most well-known arguments, Mac is quick to establish himself as a regular, beer-drinking American who doesn’t have to change his mind on anything. He then launches into his presentation: “Science Is A Liar Sometimes,” and proceeds to pick apart some of history’s greatest minds by pointing out what they had gotten wrong. This is all reinforced thanks to the excellent use of visual aids and is enough to sway a few votes in his direction, giving him the upper hand.
Know who you’re up against.
You might think that giving a loan to Dennis, Mac, and Charlie (Charlie Day) for any reason would be a risky venture — and you’d be correct. It’s clear that Dennis sees this as an inevitability as well, so he takes a cue from Mac and whips up a couple of visual aids to help out their cause. In this case, the graphs are a complete disaster, and the plan backfires, ending with them being asked to leave. Had any of them taken a little bit of time to prepare for this endeavor, it might not have gone as badly for them. Although they probably still wouldn’t have gotten the loan.
Stick to your guns.
You’re going to have moments where you’re not just facing off against one person, but a few. For example, when Charlie desperately tries to get the bar ready in time for a health inspection, which is already a massive undertaking, it’s made much more complicated when the gang’s poultry feather and steak scam is a factor. Throughout the episode, Charlie is run ragged, but he does not yield to anyone in any of the constant arguments that spring up throughout the episode. As a result, not only does Charlie come out a winner (albeit an unappreciated one), but Paddy’s Pub gets to stay open for another day.
Demand satisfaction and be prepared to accept it.
In typical Always Sunny fashion, we’re dropped right into an argument between Charlie and Dennis over the legal right to own hummingbirds as pets. It turns out that Charlie is so confident about his claim that he develops an enormous amount of self-confidence to the point that he challenges the show’s ubiquitous lawyer (Brian Unger) to a duel. While it’s obvious that Charlie wasn’t at all prepared for the lawyer to accept the duel (and does his best to back out of it) it turns out that he is right about the hummingbird law, but not his claim about the gulls. Take those victories where you can.
Know when it’s time to walk away.
Arguments don’t always have to be these peak moments of high drama and high volume. When Dennis feels worn down by his and Mac’s constant bickering, the two end up taking some time apart from one another. This is followed by an assortment of small-to-medium disasters before the two are able to reconcile their differences and come together with a renewed perspective on their friendship. Don’t forget: Not all arguments are about winning.
Always have a great dance number ready.
So, maybe things just aren’t going all that well, despite putting forth your best effort. Maybe you’ve found yourself ridiculed and humiliated, and nearly at your wit’s end, much like the gang did during their disastrous trip to their high-school reunion. Should this be the case, there’s no better way to try and go out on top than a big, coordinated dance number to help let you think you’ve turned the tide in your favor and won, not just an argument but life. Not to mention, it’s a great visual aid.
