There's normally quite a lot of people in our house- kids that belong to us, the kid's friends, our friends, workey people (we run a business from home) and for the last few months our housemate, Anna. The following conversation took place in our house. Pseudonyms are used to protect the identities. It could be ANY of us.
Miss Wormwood: Enough mate. This isn't going to end well is it? Can you see you're winding her up?
Stupendous man: (Expression reveals emotion somewhere between indignation and amusement) Yes- but I am right, aren't I?
Miss Wormwood: You are technically correct, yes- but can you see that your method of delivery isn't helping?
Stupendous man: (Expression reveals that yes, he can see this point of view) Perhaps... I can, yes.
Susie Derkins: So STOP saying it then!
Miss Wormwood: Sshh Susie- I'm talking to Stupendous man. Y'know sometimes it's possible to be right in what you say, but it's unnecessary to say it at that moment in time, or at all, or the way you say it hurts somebody else so saying it makes it wrong. Even though you're right. Do you know what I mean?
Stupendous man: (Head burried in hands, trying to decide whether to laugh or cry. It could go either way) But I AM right though...
Miss Wormwood: Yeah, but why you are saying it? Is it just to be right?
Stupendous man: (Sits bolt upright and smiles) Yes- it is!
Miss Wormwood: You like an argument, cause you like to be right?
Stupendous man: (Big grin) Yes I do!
Miss Wormwood: So you like to get into an argument that you feel is really important and you know you will win it?
Stupendous man: (Incredulous) Yeah... of course!
Miss Wormwood: What about an argument that you feel strongly about, but you think it might go badly and you'll lose- do you ever get into one of those?
Stupendous man: Well, no.
Miss Wormwood: What about an argument that you don't feel that strongly about and it doesn't really matter who's right and who's wrong and someone may end up being upset about it BUT you know you can win it: Do you ever start one of those?
Stupendous man: (Pats my arm in comforting manner and gives his biggest bestest grin) You know what I think right now? I think we really shouldn't be arguing about THIS.
