“Can I ask you about something?” asked Jane as she joined Tarzan on the sofa in the living room. Tarzan and Jane have been together in a relationship for many years.
“Sure,” answered Tarzan, without even looking up from the Sports section of The Straits Times that he was reading. Lately, the news of the Olympics had been a hot topic of discussion in school and he wanted to be on top of information among his friends.
“Eunice broke off with Matthew yesterday,” began Jane. “She said it was because of their religious differences. Matthew wanted her to convert to his religion but she refused. After much argument, she pointed out that breaking up is the best option for them since they couldn't come to an agreement. I thought she was too harsh to have mentioned that but you know what’s worse? Matthew agreed immediately! Eunice is so upset now and my comforting doesn't seem to work at all. What do you think I should do now?”
“Just leave her alone for awhile,” Tarzan replied coldly. “I'm sure she will be alive and kicking again in no time.”
“What?” exclaimed Jane in shock. “I can't just let her suffer alone at a time like this. There must be something I can do.”
“Yes, and that is to leave her alone,” said Tarzan with a slight irritation. “I bet she wants to be alone to think it through as well.”
“No, I don't think so,” argued Jane. “Don't you think her decision to break off with Matthew is too abrupt? Maybe I should talk to Matthew to hear his side of the story.”
“Don't be such a busybody,” said Tarzan as he looked up at Jane from the newspapers for the first time since the discussion. Michael Phelps had just won his eighth gold medal. What an incredible man, he thought.
Jane had her arms crossed now, with a huge frown on her face. “I'm a busybody?” she asked angrily.
“This is their problem and if she chose to walk away, then so be it” explained Tarzan as he placed the newspaper aside.
“You just don't understand, do you?” asked Jane, even more irritably. “I am her good friend and I simply can't sit around and wait for her to recover from this by herself. This is..”
“Okay, fine." Tarzan interrupted suddenly. "Why don't you just tell me what you want me to say and I'll say it,” he said helplessly.
“You're hopeless.” Jane rolled her eyes and walked away.
Just to side track from this conflict, how would you put your idea across to a person with opposing views without starting an argument or making it seems like you are a strong headed person?
