In Al-Anon, we learn to lubricate the wheels of the bus rather than getting caught in them and squashed by the bus.
How?
By engaging with others neutrally.
We can use replies like, 'yes', 'no', 'really?', 'wow!', 'OK', 'thanks', 'uh huh', 'mmm', 'maybe', 'Ill get back to you', etc. This avoids stony silence but also avoids entanglement.