I once argued for two days about oil viscosity and the need to change it at 3000 miles vice now the ridiculous notion of twice a year. This “discussion” was initiated with a simple question and escalated into multiple emails with Internet (authoritative proof) attachments on both sides of the argument.
At what point in your life does the absolute need to be right outweigh everything else. I laugh aloud when someone says, “we’ll just have to agree to disagree”. That is political correct speak for “screw you your wrong”. Can we really agree to disagree? Do you tolerate your friend’s pathetic opinion that he or she spouts like gospel until they leave the room? Then maliciously mock their existence once they have gone.
I have been privy to some of the great verbal battles of our day let me tell you. Does the microwave keep food warm after it is off? Do you need to caulk your windows every year? Are you authorized to drive in the left hand lane even if you are not passing? Should perception be allowed to carry a reality label? It is after all just someone’s opinion.
Sometimes I watch from afar but mostly I am unable to hold back the “world according to Tuck” on virtually any topic. We all have opinions right. So when is the line crossed from “jeeze that is an interesting take” “to what an insufferable freaking know-it-all”.
My wife says that she hates people who (including me) answer a question with a tone that intimates no room for disagreement. An inflection that criticizes with sound, a moment of unrestrained disgust for not already knowing the seemingly obvious answer to your mundane question.
As I tried to explain to her often times I am misunderstood. My answers usually come from practical application or analysis. This is not to say that I have one damn clue just that I think my common sense will convince.
Even when your right people probably don’t want to hear it. My mother calls it being the truth police. When you break the law, like speeding 75 mph in a 55mph zone. While you know, you are in the wrong you are still pissed off at the cop when he pulls you over.
The same can be said for your friends. You want to tell them the unfettered truth but they are not going to be happy about it. I am sure they would prefer you just lied. Why hurt their sad little feelings and set yourself up for shun-city simply to prove how right you are. Powerful is the desire to be right, or not even right so much but the competitive nature of everything, even conversation.
I prefer stories. Stories do not illicit challenge. They can be written or verbal and they recollect a place or happening. Stories are a person’s verbal description or interpretation. They do not have to be factual just entertaining. Listeners can follow along while the teller changes direction and no confrontation ensues because stories are personal. Stories though, unlike books, can trap people, holding them hostage for the sake of good manners.
On and on the storyteller goes droning through his or her tale sure that your captivated. The onus is on the listener to stop the bleeding. A verbal share should be short if it is longer than ten minutes, write it. People are busy. That is why comedians do three minutes. A book you can skim, your friends story can be time spent with no return so it had better be good. Multiple no-value stories will lump you in with poor company and cause your co-workers to permanently detour around your office.
So the next time you find yourself falling into the “I better check “Snopes” on this email to prove your friend wrong mind set. Weigh the alternatives. You probably were included in the email or story or conversation because the person likes you, shares commonality with you and might be interested in your opinion which I am sure if your me you will offer willingly. Remember you are not the truth freaking police. NO ONE always loves a know-it-all even if you are right all the time. 
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