August 14, 2001

Fighting with Friends is Fun

I don't get into fistfights with anyone, let alone my friends, mostly because I'd probably lose. If they wait until I take those kung-fu lessons I keep wanting to get, though, just watch out! I'm not talking about physical fighting, though, I'm talking about wars of words. Discussions. Arguments.

I have a friend who was on vacation last week, and I really missed him. I can always count on him to say something I find asinine or judgmental, which means fun for me! He says something, I reply, and it goes back and forth til one of us gets tired or has something better to do. Today he said that politicians should be immediately dismissed if they have an extramarital affair, and he gave all the usual reasons people with that opinion have that opinion - you can't trust them with other things if you can't trust them not to cheat on their spouses, they take advantage of their interns, it's just not right, and so forth. I replied that they are civilians who have rights. I also pointed out that I simply don't trust politicians in the first place.

I'm sure he's reading this, and I just want to say that I enjoy sparring with him. It keeps me on my toes. I don't have my little brother or my parents on hand anymore to do this with. Besides, with someone who is just a friend, feelings are much less on the line. If you piss the other person off, apologize and move on, it's not a big deal. With family, when you take a stand they disagree with (sometimes vehemently disagree with), it's not always so easy to patch things up. Especially if you want to jump right back in again later.

I think anyone else who happens to be around when we get into a discussion enjoys the entertainment, too. Just to give you an idea, we've discussed masturbation (Women don't. Oh yes, they do.), children (I hate them. But they're so cute.), the nature of God (He's there. No, he's not.), and many other topics. With such items as these, how can onlookers not be amused and entertained? The fact is that it doesn't take hot topics for us to get into it. I pointed out to him once that everytime I make a statement, he says, "I disagree." For instance: "The sky is blue." "I disagree." Great stuff!

I guess this PFFT! goes out to people who tell others not to argue so much. They need to lighten up. It's all in fun, and half the time, I don't even believe what I'm saying, it's just so much fun to argue with him.

Published: August 14, 2001
Editor: stacy