4.15.2008

From the mouths of babes

I went to visit Shauna tonight. While she was dyeing and cutting my hair, her seven-year-old son Zac was playing games on the computer and ‘talking’ to his friend Elizabeth on the phone. That is, the line was open, but the phone was lying on the desk. Their conversation – on both ends – consisted of screaming into the earpiece without moving their fingers from the keyboard.

As a result, we could hear every word Elizabeth said when she asked Zac to apologize.

Zac: [Silence. Continued and fevered pounding of arrow buttons]

Elizabeth: I’m going to hang up now.

Zac: [Shrugs. Suspends pounding on keyboard to close the line.]

Shauna: Zac, why was Elizabeth asking you to apologize?

Zac: [Mumbling, more keyboard action] I dunno.

Shauna: Zac, what happened? Why did Elizabeth ask you to apologise?

Zac: [Shoulders relax as the game ends] She just wanted to hang up the phone.

Why is this of any interest?

1) Apparently, communication issues between men and women start young.
2) Men start seeing things as black and white while still children. It is completely useless for us to fight it now that they’re adults and the habits have been ingrained. They don’t understand the nuances in a woman’s voice. Never have, never will.
3) Women develop sensitivities and start asking for apologies as young children. Most of them will have to wait their entire lives to finally get a genuine apology – if ever.
4) It was Elizabeth who finally called back. Apparently, women start playing the role of peacemaker at a young age as well.
5) Zac didn’t seem to be bothered one way or another. Also, not unsurprising to grown women who are frequently driventhisclosetohomicide by the indifferent reactions of their boyfriends.

What else?...

(I have some fancy new bangs, by the way!)




1 comment:

ad said...

Let it be noted that I am not bitter - I just found it fascinating to see familiar patterns repeating themselves in the behaviour of two seven-year-olds.

I am amused more than anything else...