gillette

i was reminded today how some people take out their anger and frustration with life in general on those who care about them most, and others mete out their antagonism on strangers.

ever been in a store and watched helplessly as a cashier is harangued and humiliated for some piddling infraction?

cashiers learn to deal with this sort of thing after a while, unfair though it may be. they just grit their teeth and try to ignore it.

but - what if you are the recepient of some scathing setdown from someone you love, someone you know loves you in return? what is the proper protocol?

do you demand an apology, ignore it, or fire back with both barrels blazing?

i've tried all three, and at this point in my life, i have a fourth - request clarification to make sure you didn't interpret badly what appears to be an unkind remark, but may just be miscommunication.

then, if you are right, choose option two, and ignore it.

people who do this sort of thing to either regard your feelings as unimportant, or worse, think you are amenable to being treated as their punching bag.

ignoring them is the best way to let them know they have made a mistake.

of course, if THAT doesn't work, you might try pointing out they've made an error in judgement, and hope they have the good sense to apologize on their own.