It’s important to figure out if the other person is really playing the same ballgame as you are. Once you realize that the rule books don’t match, it’s time to cut your losses and move on.

Took me many years to understand that, but once I did, I’ve saved so much time. For example, you might be talking to a flat-earther thinking that it’s a debate where logic and facts matter. Spoiler: it’s not. The rules aren’t what you initially thought, and there’s no way to win. You winning just isn’t in their rule book at all.