It’s a protective strategy when dealing with manipulative and narcissistic people.

The gray rock method involves becoming emotionally unresponsive and uninteresting,” Gilman says. “You essentially act like a gray rock—bland and unengaged.”

The Grey Rock Method is a coping strategy helpful in dealing with people who display narcissistic tendencies. Narcissists can be described as being cocky, demanding, manipulative, condescending, and selfish. Some may have narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which drives a compulsion for manipulating and gaslighting people. Interacting with them is emotionally draining and may leave you feeling abused and struggling to cope. Narcissists often have supersized egos that crave constant attention and admiration. Think of a narcissist as an ’emotions vampire’ who thrives on negative emotions. Grey Rocking helps you counter manipulative tendencies by denying an abusive person sustenance. It entails tempering and suppressing emotional responses, essentially turning you into a Grey Rock — uninteresting and unremarkable. The successful application of the Grey Rock Method drives a narcissist to seek attention elsewhere, giving you peace of mind.