Do you argue? Bicker? Have hot debates at the family dinner table?
The weekend started off peacefully…
Then, the sugar rush set in after the Easter Bunny came and filled up baskets.
There are no kids in my house, but yeah, the Bunny still drops by…
Then came the cooking…with more sugar.
With all that glucose pumping through everyone’s veins, the family dinner table was missing one person…an umpire.
“Did you read Sheila’s e-mail…about her dinner out with Luke?” my mother-in-law asked.
“Yeah, that was funny,” I replied, remembering the e-mail about Luke eating worms.
“He’s really smart for a 6-year-old, but when he thought those bean sprouts were worms, Sheila must have died laughing.”
AND THIS IS WHERE I SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE SUBJECT
Me: It wasn’t bean sprouts. It was noodles. He ordered Udon Noodles with Vegetables.
Her: No, it was the bean sprouts,because she said that he said that the worms were crunchy.
Me: No, it was definitely the noodles. Noodles are slimy like worms.
Them: Yeah, Tracy’s right. Bean sprouts don’t even look like worms.
Her: They most certainly do look like worms…little worms.
Me: You’re wrong. Have you ever even SEEN an Udon Noodle? Even adults would mistake those things for worms.
So it went. My family sat around the Easter Sunday dinner table having a conversation, bickering match, argument, about bean sprouts vs. udon noodles and their likeness to worms.
Anyone know a good umpire family therapist?
How do you differentiate between a friendly debate and an argument? Have you ever let a small disagreement escalate too far?
P.S. I was wrong. It was the bean sprouts. A nice “Happy Easter” phone call to Sheila, with an “oh by the way, what did Luke mistake for worms?” allowed us to move on to the topic of dessert. Caf. Decaf. Caf. Decaf. Caf!!!!
The Chameleon's Backbone 
Posted by Diane Tibert on April 25, 2011 at 7:11 am
I’ve been where you were this weekend: on the wrong side of a discussion. After suffering many losses, I’ve learned that if there’s even a hint of me being wrong, I clam up. Since I watch and listen more than participate, I now can spot a ‘discussion’ on the horizon, and if I can, I’ll change the subject before someone has been proven wrong (or right).
But old habits are hard to break. Sometimes I insert foot in mouth and prove myself wrong.
But on the other hand: you’ll always remember what Luke ate and you’ll always joke about beans and noodles. Let’s just call them worms. 🙂
Posted by Tracy on April 26, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Every time I see a bean sprout from now on, it will be a worm to me…a little crunchy one. Ewwww~
Posted by Sheila on April 25, 2011 at 11:47 am
Tracy,
I can picture that discussion now:)Luke wants to go back tonight for more “noodles and worms”. I sometimes have to monitor myself when I feel that I am digging my heels in during a “discussion”, usually with my husband. THat alerts me that the discussion may turn into an argument. I try not to go there. I’ve also been acutely aware of discussions with my kids. I want to model behavior that is productive. So here’s to noodles, worms, in-laws, outlaws…it’s all good!!Bon appetite!
Posted by Tracy on April 26, 2011 at 5:40 pm
I’ll clink my glass to that, Sheila!
Posted by Carol Ann Hoel on April 25, 2011 at 12:09 pm
I’m sure the extra sugar didn’t help. I’ve heard it makes people a little hyper-sensitive, hyper-active, etc. Life happens. Blessings…
Posted by Tracy on April 26, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Hi Carol Ann – I’m not sure if it was the sugar, but I think we have proof that kids aren’t the only ones who can get a little sugar high.
Posted by Ron on April 25, 2011 at 12:41 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Funny post, Tracy!
And yes….being Italian, my family always waited until we were all sitting around the table to have discussions/debates. We didn’t argue, but rather talked loudly while discussing things, but to anyone else it would probably sound like an argument.
When my stepmother married my father, she was totally shocked at how we acted at the dinner table because she came from a very quiet and reserved family, that NEVER spoke at the dinner table.
Have a great Monday, my friend!
Posted by Tracy on April 26, 2011 at 5:35 pm
But Ron, how can the Italian’s talk and eat at the same time without waving forks and knives around in the air? Hope you are having a fabulous week as well!
Posted by bridgesburning on April 25, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Definitely a debate with a sprinking of argument! 🙂
Posted by Tracy on April 26, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Yeah, we were into the whole she said, he said thing…classic debate material. At least it wasn’t religion or politics!
Posted by Stephanie Faris on April 25, 2011 at 4:20 pm
I live by the philosophy, “It’s better to be happy than right.” Most of the time it’s enough to know I’m right. I just let things drop and let people think what they want. You’d be surprised how many times people come back later and say, “You know, you were right about that…”
Posted by Tracy on April 26, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Good way to go…I desire to be more like you.
Posted by Nutschell on April 25, 2011 at 8:30 pm
LOL!
what a fun post, and great pictures to boot! Glad I met you through this a-z!
nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
Posted by Jo Schaffer on April 26, 2011 at 2:10 am
Not so much around the table– in the car. My three sons sometimes get groucht and territorial while driving. (=
Stop by my blog and pick up your blog award! (=
Posted by Tracy on April 26, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Ha! When I was little, my parents would draw an imaginary line down the middle of the back seat and my sister and I were not to cross it, or else! Thanks for the award!
Posted by Laura Best on April 26, 2011 at 6:14 am
Not to sound like the Brady Bunch because we’re far from it, but we really don’t have any family arguments about such things. I guess we’re too busy acting silly and talking over old times.
Posted by Tracy on April 26, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Next year, I’m coming over for dinner at your place, Laura. 🙂
Posted by Jeffrey Beesler on April 26, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Sugar and noodles and bean sprouts, oh my! I guess it takes any kind of trigger, even the slightest, to set off such an argument. But at least it made for a memorable episode in your lives. Next time by all means, include the umpire!
And it’s a pleasure to meet you via the A-Z Challenge!
Posted by Tracy on April 26, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Nice to meet you, too! Blow the whistle ref!
Posted by Ron on April 27, 2011 at 11:40 am
Hi Tracy…
I don’t know whether you intended it, but comments are closed in the post above. I’ve noticed that on several WP bloggers blogs today. Maybe it’s a technical glitch?
Anyway, I just wanted you to know I stopped by to read your most recent post.
X
Posted by Tracy on April 27, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Thanks Ron! I found a way to fix it!
Posted by Liane on April 27, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Sadly I never knew family meals around a table… BUT bickering, fighting, arguing, demolishing… now THAT my family is good at, and they don’t even NEED a table! hahaha
Have to add though… do you know what a bean sprout make me think of… I’m thinking the conception scene of “Look Who’s Talking”… hahaha