Sometimes speaking in generalities lets one get something off his/her chest without having to go into detail. Of course it may also cause confusion due to the vagueness but I am willing to take that risk. :big_grin:

I am tired of egos - the large, inevitably fragile ones and the ones that need to be bolstered at the expense of others.

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On a separate note, I know someone who used to be a salesman. The area in which he/we lived tended toward being very religious and his beliefs did not match those of his coworkers nor his customers, therefore, he became an expert at keeping his opinion/beliefs to himself while giving the impression that he agreed with others (without overtly agreeing). When it came to dealing with problems, he found silence to be a very useful tool. Unhappy customers would talk themselves out. Last night, I got the salesman treatment and I am still furious over it. I felt as though someone had agreed with me over time given our lighthearted discussions but when it came down to it and direct questions were asked, I got silence and was stunned. It hurt a lot that we apparently do not have the same ideas for the future as was presented.

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Last one - I know someone who will ask about something painful, however, unless there is anything interesting to him, he will drop the conversation leaving the asked person 'holding the bag' and in emotional pain. I liken it to seeing someone with a bruise, poking said bruise while asking 'where'd you get that' and leaving if the story isn't interesting enough - the asked person still has pain in the bruise from being poked!