I could be all wrong here but IMO hitting a sore spot simply "one ups" the hitting ya'll do to one another. Again, I managed to get what I thought was a clear thought out all cloudy.
Here is how I perceived it. Let me use Sam and Dave.
Sam suspects that Dave is sensitive about his baldness and so wants to take every opportunity to tease him about it; Dave knows that Sam is going to do that.
When Dave says, "Sam, the next time you mention my thinning hair, I will end the conversation," Sam knows he's got ahold of something juicy. This only matters, of course, if Sam is the kind of person who -- like STBXMRSSP -- likes to have these little things in his arsenal.
If, on the other hand, Dave says, "Well, at least I save wear-and-tear on combs -- maybe I could lend them to you for your back hair," Sam knows that he's going to get as good as he gives and so there's no more incentive to pursue that course of action because Dave isn't going to respond the way Sam wants and, more importantly, Sam is exposing himself to the kind of thing he wants to put on Dave if he continues.
Seriously, why do you (SP) give a sh-- what she says or thinks anymore? Why? Turn around and walk away from this crap. Spend the rest of your days with people who value you.
I care to the extent her evaluations spread poison to the children.
Them still sound like fightin' words to me. The better method is just not to open yourself up to such a conversation in the first place. You're leading your own life. This isn't something to "do" to get (or not get) a response. It's something you "are".
"My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand." Thich Nhat Hanh
When Dave says, "Sam, the next time you mention my thinning hair, I will end the conversation," Sam knows he's got ahold of something juicy. This only matters, of course, if Sam is the kind of person who -- like STBXMRSSP -- likes to have these little things in his arsenal.
Well then... think of it as a Patriot missile... sometimes it works, when it works the Scud gets shot out of the air...
When it doesn't, ending the conversation removes the target... so... it still works.
Originally Posted By: SmileysPerson
If, on the other hand, Dave says, "Well, at least I save wear-and-tear on combs -- maybe I could lend them to you for your back hair," Sam knows that he's going to get as good as he gives and so there's no more incentive to pursue that course of action because Dave isn't going to respond the way Sam wants and, more importantly, Sam is exposing himself to the kind of thing he wants to put on Dave if he continues.
And the conflict escalates.
5 Quick & Easy Ways To Instantly End A Conversation Under Any Circumstances:
1) Hang up the phone. 2) Walk away from her (when in public setting or common ground) 3) SILENCE. (Via email, text or other non-vocal forms) 4) Escort her to the door (when in your home) 5) Plug in and crank up the volume on your iPod to this tune.
[color:#CC0000] When Dave says, "Sam, the next time you mention my thinning hair, I will end the conversation," Sam knows he's got ahold of something juicy. This only matters, of course, if Sam is the kind of person who -- like STBXMRSSP -- likes to have these little things in his arsenal.
If, on the other hand, Dave says, "Well, at least I save wear-and-tear on combs -- maybe I could lend them to you for your back hair," Sam knows that he's going to get as good as he gives and so there's no more incentive to pursue that course of action because Dave isn't going to respond the way Sam wants and, more importantly, Sam is exposing himself to the kind of thing he wants to put on Dave if he continues.
That sounds kind of like the cold war and the arms race...
