Aunty Acid by Ged Backland for March 24, 2023

I get pre-annoyed just before I read your comic.

Aunty is mighty touchy. She looks forward to constant verbal fencing with others, to the thrill of each “Touché”. She thus starts each day “en garde.”

I refer to that as a snit.

Whenever I watch the news, I get that way. Well, NHK-World news isn’t as bad.

It’s good to get a head start!

Pre-emptive p!ss offs.

Yes, every time management called for a meeting.

I am a big believer in the book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. One of the habits is, “Seek first to understand and then be understood.”

When we hear something with which we disagree, or first reaction is, “Red Alert! Shields up! Arm photon torpedoes. Lock phasers on target.” Our ears are hearing but our mind is working overtime on the counter-attack. “As soon as he shuts his mouth, I’m going down it with both feet.”

The only way to make the habit work is to concentrate on the word “understand.” You have to understand what the other person is saying: you do NOT have to agree.

One of the many communication courses I took provided me with a statistic: in 40% of disagreement there is merely a difference of understanding and not a difference of opinion.

If you can eliminate 40% of your conflicts merely by listening, then it’s worth giving it a shot.

On the other hand, once you understand someone, you then have proof that they are an idiot and they have probably given you all the ammunition you need to refute their point.

It’s worth going into a conversation with an open mind. However, when listening to things like Fox news, the B. S. piles up faster than I can shovel it off the doorstep.

I get that feeling, Aunty.

Sometimes you just enjoy simmering ‘In A Mood’. Barely off the boil. But still letting off a little steam.

When I see someone with that reputation, I relocate.

Answer: NO!

I don’t walk around looking to make myself happy by starting an argument or getting into one. I would go with cuzinron47 – move on, avoid the hassle.

Whew, what ranting and raving. I hope you all feel better now. Me, if someone tries to put me down, I simply ignore the attempts. I will not let others make me feel less of a person.

How the bloody he’ll can you pre order or pre book something??You either order or book or you don’t!Annoyingly pedants like me.