That’s What She Said

Sometimes I think the words spoken between Scott and I get sent through some sort of voice scrambler.

Maybe we just choose to hear what we want to hear. Maybe we simply get into moods. There are occasions, when we just look at each other in total disbelief at the words that tumble out. One might say, “I did not say that.” The other would then say, “Well that is what I heard.” It’s not all the time, but when it happens, it’s usually pretty drastic. And funny. But mostly just drastic. For instance:

This is what he SAID, “It will be so amazing when I get to heaven.”
This is what I HEARD, “I would rather die than be married to you.”

This is what he SAID, “This floor needs a good sweeping.”
This is what I HEARD, “What did you do all day?”

This is what he SAID,  “I like your hair better straight.”
This is what I HEARD, “Wavy hair makes you look ugly.”

This is what he SAID, “I will stay home with the kids.”
This is what I HEARD, “I don’t want to spend time with you.”

This is what he SAID, “Don’t spend anymore money.”
This is what I heard. “Don’t spend anymore money.” (Okay, that one never gets jumbled.)

And…

This is what I SAID, “Do you want your back scratched?”
This is what he HEARD, “Let’s go jump in bed.”

This is what I SAID, “Can you make the kids dinner tonight?”
This is what he HEARD, “Drive through McDonald’s.”

This is what I SAID, “Do you want to go on a walk?”
This is what he HEARD, “Do you want me to dunk you in tar and then dip you in feathers?”

This is what I SAID, “I need to run to the mall.”
This is what he heard, “I am totally itching to spend money for no good reason.”

This is what I SAID, “Will you let me read you my latest blog post?”
This is what he HEARD, “Will you let me read the whole Old Testament to you?”

Communication is about being clear and concise. It’s about being an active listener.

It’s also about hearing what is actually being said and nothing more. That is the tricky part. It’s so easy to read into things and assume your spouse is thinking things they are not. Most of the time, it’s just plain and simple. It’s just, “Honey can you make me a sandwich?” And that actually means, “I am hungry.”

Who Would’ve thought?

 

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[Photo Credit: Judy and Ed]