How nvc worked for me

I noticed two kids playing with an emergency phone at a subway station near Oslo close to where I live. They were evidently having no genuine need for help, and I felt a certain anger growing inside me. This anger made me think of nvc (I had just read Marshall's book) and I started to think of what underlying needs these kids were really trying to fullfill. The need for autonomy came to mind. May be they felt suppressed by adults both at home and at school. My anger subsided and was transformed into empathy. As I reached them I talked to them in a friendly manner. They did not agree with my view that their activity kept the lines busy and thus prevented people in real need from getting through. But my friendly tone made them interested in contact and when the subway arrived we decided to be seated next to each other and continued our talk. Instead for being angry I felt closeness.