Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Winning an argument - group project meme from Plooptionary!

Plooptionary is working on a new graph - a graph about how to win an argument. Well, I am always ready for a good argument. What you may not know is that the last time I got in a really heated argument, I ended up in the emergency room.

But I argue with Gracie nearly everyday. She takes my stuff really well and pretty much always submits - as I bark or snap her into submission. On the other hand, she most usually gets her way through manic persistence. Once she gets something in her head, there is no turning her back.

I don't always win an argument, when I don't it's usually because:

1. The dog is bigger than I.
2. There are more dogs on the other side of the argument and I am outnumbered.
3. The other dog really fights back with fisticuffs.

When I do, it's usually because:

1. I keep on them until they give up.

Now my Mom, on the other hand is pretty good at arguments. She is of the diplomatic sort. Human Grandma always said she should have been a diplomat - instead she went into marketing, where her diplomatic skills have paid off for her. She usually wins an argument when:

1. She can out talk, or be more persistent, with facts than the other person.
2. Says, 'that's a good point, but have you ever thought about......'

But the bigger picture is that we don't think that winning an argument is the most important part of conversation. We think the art of communicating is the most important part of conversation (or arguing); working to understand the others point of view, and coming to a consensus or agreement that benefits both sides. We will, however, definitely stick up for ourselves when it's important.

If more people, and dogs for that matter, communicated more effectively - well I may not have that nasty scare on my backside.

Good luck with your graph, Plooptionary. We can't wait to see what you come up with.

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