littleladybug -> RE: Public Submission (8/19/2014 10:45:18 AM)
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If this happened in my relationship, it would be the last time it happened, that I can guarantee. IMO, this clearly shows a simple lack of courtesy. To not even check in with your date to see how she's doing, if she wants to join, or leave, or whatever? How hard is it to come over to her and have a simple conversation? It's not....if the idea goes through your mind. We all like doing what we want to do. But, a general respect for others (especially those who we are supposed to be in a relationship with) should be an essential part of the plan. I specifically have left out any reference to D or s-types in the previous paragraph, because I believe that this generally transcends any specific relationship labels. I have been in this situation, as the person who was "left out". I was seething at the time. I'm sure he could tell from my body language that "something was wrong", but honestly, at that point, I do not blame him for not opening up that can of worms in public. It was something that should have been discussed in private, and it was, when we got home. It took a bit of time, but we actually were able to discuss it as relatively rational adults. He set out what he was thinking-- apparently, I was "free to come and join". I let him know that I was not interested, and he knew that. After quite a bit of discussion, we came to a compromise that worked for the both of us. And, in the several years that followed, we never got into that icky situation again. To paraphrase a line from one of my favorite movies--- "what we have here is a failure to communicate". We may be able to read our partner's mind to the extent that we know generally when they're happy, sad, pissed, etc. I may think I know what my partner wants, and will run with it. I may also have misunderstood, or over-stepped a boundary. If I look at him, and see from his body language he is angry....I won't *know* why until he tells me. Sure, I could guess, but that's not fair to either one of us. And, to enter into passive-aggressive behavior? That's simply juvenile. At one point, I was angry at him...I forget now what the issue was...but my response at the time was to get into bed, as close to the edge of "my side" as I could get. His response? To jump on the bed hard enough to throw me off the side. "Well, if you're not going to talk to me, you can sleep on the floor". Sure enough, we spent several hours talking that evening. IMO, both sides here are "at fault"...however, the solution is relatively simple....open up the lines of communication. "I thought you wanted me to befriend these people so we can...." "But, when you left me to be with them, I felt...." "I would have wanted you to......" "In the future, if a situation comes up like this, let's ...." But, of course, that does require some "give and take" from each side. If some want to live their lives with resentment, for whatever reason, that's their prerogative. I just offer a solution that seems to work in a lot of cases.
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