Say What U Mean
Imagine a world, if you will, where people said precisely what they mean. In this alternate reality, people don't say things they don't mean and expect others to be psychic and know that what you mean is exactly the opposite of what you said. In this world, "communication" is effective and efficient, and people aren't left baffled when they're being shit on for doing things they've been told were perfectly fine to do.
Looking at you, ladies.
See, I've had this problem in nearly every relationshit I've been in, and I can't figure it out. In a man's world, we would just say whatever the fucking fuck we mean.
Her: Honey, do you care if I go get my nails and hair did today?
Me: Not at all. Enjoy.
Her: Honey, do you care if I titty-fuck the shit out of you?
Me: Let me think... *brief pause* I think that would be all right.
Her: Honey, do you care if I go get trashed with a bunch of young hot men and stay out all night and then stumble in the front door in the morning?
Me: That makes me a little uncomfortable. Could we pass on that?
However, when we turn the tables, the story is a little different. When I ask you a question, I'm not being a jerk. I'm not trying to pressure you. I know some men are this way, but I'm not. When I ask you if you mind if I do something, I'm literally extending the option to you to veto my activity if it bugs you in any way. This is a way of showing respect: if my planned activity will upset you, I don't want to do it. I'm giving you a chance to voice your feelings and be heard. To have an impact on the things I do, my comings and goings. However, what we run into is a little bit of this...
Me: Hey, I really want to go fishing Saturday. Do you care?
Her: Go right ahead.
*Saturday comes, and as I'm fishing, incessant texting*
Her: Are you ALMOST DONE? You KNEW I had a ton of stuff to do, and this is REALLY cutting into my plans.
...You could've said something, ANYTHING, before Saturday. If we establish that I'm going fishing on Saturday, then that is my plan. Your secret plans, which you either did not mention or mentioned in passing, do not impinge on that: if you need me to cancel my fishing plans because unexpected things are arising, that's what you could say:
Her: I know you're planning on fishing this Saturday, and I know I said that was totally cool, but ten things have come up since then, and that's the only day we have together, so could we work on those things instead?
Me: Well... that sucks... Maybe I could go next Saturday...
OR,
Me: I'm thinking about going to Joe's house on Friday night to drink and play video games. Some people from work are going to be there. Cool?
Her: Yeah, that's fine.
Me: *Does it*
Her *the next day, mad* *silence*
Me: What's wrong?
(What ensue is the usual exchange of "nothing," "no really what's wrong," "nothing at all," "ok," and then later...)
Her: It's just that... I'm really upset that you went.
Me: ...But you said you were fine with it.
Her: Yeah, but [insert reasons]. You should have known I wouldn't be okay with that.
So I am to be psychic. Rather than addressing those reasons in the first place, you chose to set a trap for me. You told me it was fine to walk through this field, never mentioning that you had laid out mines. You just expected me to see the mines and avoid them. That is unfair and absurd. People who love each other don't make each other wander through minefields that they set.
So when I mentioned Joe's house, you knew it would make you uncomfortable for whatever reason. So instead of setting a trap for me so you can watch me fail, tell me you're uncomfortable with it, and then tell me the reasons. Again -- I've given you veto power over my actions. Use it. Tell me the situation makes you feel bad, and let me respectfully bow out of the plans. Maybe I can come up with alternate plans -- a compromise that makes both of us feel comfortable.
...Or are you just wanting to watch me piss you off?
















