There was a period of time when I had to visit my sister- in- law and her boyfriend over Christmas, to see my in- laws. The accommodations were always uncomfortable, my wife and I rarely had a moment to ourselves, and my sister- in- law's boyfriend was an overbearing drunk. Anyway, one time he decided to bust my chops, and asked me why I didn't smile more. I couldn't very well say that it was because I disliked having to visit him, so I would be at a loss. I couldn't say: "At home, I smile a lot, and my son likes my laugh so much that he records it, but here, with you, I do not feel the same way." No, that would have been rude. Not that it wasn't rude for him to put me on the spot in the first place. In fact, it was terribly rude. But I have some difficulty with confrontation, and a slow temper.
Now, he was always talking about how happy a guy he was. He did not seem contented or at peace, he seemed prickly, self- absorbed, and alcoholic, but whenever the subject came up, he would be sure to let you know that he was by gosh happy. And there was no reason to contradict him, since it was not my business, and it would only have caused a fight.
Of course, sometimes it is difficult to know what to say...... |
