You can catch more flies from using honey, then from using vinegar, a wise man once said.

When it comes to a Paranormal investigation, one forgets this adage and often goes right for the vinegar. This Truism is most evident when an investigation of a supposed "haunted" location turns static and one chooses to entice the spirit by frankly antagonizing it! The goal here clearly is to provoke the entity into attacking the investigator, or at the least causing a raucous producing good footage for the camera recorder, or perhaps a good EVP. However, one must weigh the options when one chooses this route, and while it may seem anecdotal that this produces results, it may not to the contrary. A normal haunting if there is one, is a human spirit residing in a specific location for any given reason. Now return to the word Human; Humans on earth or the spirit plane do not like insulting antagonist, or instigators. On the contrary, they will do everything to avoid these people with all their might. This can be no less true in the spirit realm, while it does seem probable that your mocking and condescending insults would produce results, (especially in demonic cases but that is another story) I feel often this has the reverse effect.

I can only refer of course to my own first hand experiences where "provoking" tactics that have been administered produced few results. I have seen surveys from other investigators that are evenly split on invoking what some refer to as "JERK" option and the results seem about split in its implementation. It of course is up to the individual investigator or group whether or not to use provoking when time is a factor, and the spirit seems about as interested in you as a Super Model does in dating a Star Trek conventioneer.

If this were a scientific experiment I feel the results would be labeled inconclusive. I for one approach every investigation with a healthy medium of skepticism, and am always eager to experience phenomena. Now that does not mean I try to be the entity's BFF (Best Friend Forever) but I do show empathy and respect, as I hope I do with any human being.

In short if provoking is your thing have at it, engage the spirit, make it "get you". As for me I will speak to any supposed spirit (save for malevolent) with a level of respect and courtesy we all should demand. That, thus far, has produced better results. I believe firmly it "takes two to tango" and who wants a rude dancing partner.
If a case is static, after giving the appropriate level of time, it may just not meant to be.

Perhaps if the spirit doesn't want to "dance" with you, you should put ego aside and leave it to another investigator. Do not force yourself on the phenomena (should any exist) that will be explored more in a future article titled, Do Not Force The Activity.