RELATIONSHIPS

Sometimes in a relationship one will say or do something which hurts, angers, insults or in some other way is found to be unacceptable to the other party.  The offended one could calmly inquire what evidence can be provided to support the offending action and refute it if possible or accept the truth.  Once the truth is established one way or the other, things should return to normal. Appropriate apologies are made and accepted.  All is well.

However, what usually ensues insures that there will be little chance for this episode to end well but guarantees a bad conclusion.  The response is a counter-attack vilifying the offender, calling into question nearly every aspect of his character, intelligence, heritage and paternity.  Needless to say, it is too late for any kind of reasonable discourse.

When watching movies that involve a character who has amnesia, I'll bet many of us have wished certain people would develope that condition.  Wouldn't it be great if memories of unpleasant experiences could be selectively erased.  We know that this cannot be done, at least not yet, so the next best thing is to avoid creating them in the first place.