Worst adult tantrum stories: How can one deal with an adult having a tantrum?

A colleague of mine had a meltdown during a meeting. He didn't like the new project plan and started shouting, slamming his fists on the table, and storming out of the room. It disrupted the whole meeting and made everyone feel uncomfortable. He later apologized, but the damage was done.

I once saw a man in a restaurant who didn't get the table he wanted. He started yelling at the hostess, stomping his feet like a child. His face turned bright red and he was waving his arms around. It was so embarrassing.

One way to deal with adults having temper tantrums is to give them space. Sometimes, when people are in the middle of an outburst, they don't want to be interrupted or calmed down immediately. So, step back and let them vent for a while. However, don't just ignore the situation completely. After they've had some time to themselves, approach them gently. Don't be judgmental but rather be a good listener. Let them know that you are there for them and that their feelings are valid, but their way of expressing them through a tantrum is not the best. Then, work together to find a solution to whatever problem is causing their distress.

There was a story in the news about an adult who lost a bet. Instead of taking it gracefully, he threw a tantrum at the bar where they made the bet. He started breaking glasses and scaring other customers. The bar had to call the police to deal with him. It was a really extreme reaction just because he lost a bet.

One way is to stay calm. If you get angry too, it'll just make the situation worse. For example, if a child is screaming in a store, just stand there quietly and wait for them to stop.

Lack of emotional control also plays a part. Some people never learned how to manage their emotions well as they grew up. So when faced with disappointment or minor annoyances, like being in a traffic jam, they can't keep their cool and have a temper tantrum.

I knew a man who got really angry during a meeting at work because his idea wasn't immediately accepted. He banged his fist on the table, stood up abruptly and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. It was quite embarrassing for everyone there.

At a business meeting, one of the executives didn't get his way in a decision - making process. He started pouting like a toddler. He crossed his arms, sulked in his chair, and then began to raise his voice in an unprofessional way. He complained that no one was listening to him, when in fact everyone had considered his opinion but just didn't agree with it. His tantrum made the whole meeting very uncomfortable and unproductive.

At a family gathering, an adult may throw a tantrum if they don't like the way the party is organized. Maybe they expected a different type of food or a different seating arrangement. Instead of calmly discussing it, they start pouting, making sarcastic remarks, and might even storm out, leaving the family members shocked and disappointed.

Feeling disrespected can also cause an adult to have a temper tantrum. If someone perceives that others are not treating them with the respect they think they deserve, they may overreact. For example, if the man in the store felt that the clerk was not taking his request seriously enough, that could have triggered his outburst. Another aspect is poor communication skills. If people don't know how to express their dissatisfaction calmly, they are more likely to have a tantrum.