Confrontation

[dyvinesweetness]

So I told this story elsewhere in the land of the internet (and I've told it a handful of times verbally). I felt compelled to bring it here because it's one of my favorite stories to tell about my brother. Beyond that I think the fact that it sticks with me tells a lot about me and my style of communication

Comments

[blackestsheep]

Sometimes it takes a observation from a stranger to open your eyes. They don't have a stake in it.

[moneda]

I am currently reminded of Steve's friend and our picnic. L-O-L.

[richirch2]

HE MUST BE INVITED AGAIN!!!

[dyvinesweetness]

I'll remember you said this when he uses the N-word again. lol

[richirch2]

LOL... madness.

[richirch2]

Do you think it was the confrontational aspect of it that stuck with him? Or was it that a stranger showed some concern for his own life that stuck with him?

[dyvinesweetness]

I was confused by this comment for a second before I realized you might be misunderstanding what I mean by a confrontation. Confrontation doesn't mean aggressive or harsh. (At least that's not the version I'm using.) It means literally confronting something, addressing it directly, putting it out there. So there's no way to separate the things you're asking since the mere fact that the older man said anything at all was the confrontation.

I don't think people respond better or more to a harsher style. But if people don't say anything about an issue, there's nothing to respond to at all.

[dyvinesweetness]

I do find it interesting though that somehow the meaning of confrontation has morphed to have a connotation of harshness and aggression. It really shows how folks are afraid for things to be addressed directly.

[richirch2]

Yeah, it's interesting. But confrontational has always had a more aggressive, harsh tone, IMO. Even more than its verb, confront. You can confront your fears, and it's viewed as positive, or confront your bully and again is positive. But if you are confrontational... It has more of an aggressor/instigator/initiator connotation.