BIFF
Updated 2026-08-08
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
BIFF is a communication pattern for replying to hostile or high-conflict messages: keep it brief, include the information the other person actually needs, stay friendly in tone, and remain firm about the boundary or decision. It was developed for disputes where engagement itself feeds the conflict, so the aim is to close the exchange rather than to persuade. Brevity and firmness cut off the emotional entanglement, while friendliness prevents the reply from becoming the next provocation. The format works for written exchanges such as hostile emails and messages.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Cut the length: reply in a few sentences rather than a long justification. - Keep the facts: include only the information the other person genuinely needs. - Hold the boundary: stay polite in tone while the decision itself does not move.
Anchor fast decisions
Hostile messages are often attempts to draw a reaction, and a long or defensive reply supplies exactly the engagement the sender wants. A short reply starves the exchange of material to escalate, and including only necessary information keeps the content factual. A friendly tone denies the sender a provocation to quote back, while firmness signals that the underlying decision will not change through pressure. Together the four elements make the reply a dead end for conflict rather than a new round.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biffverified
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