insufferable

My last post regarded whether or not one should bite one's tongue when confronted with something distasteful. I think the deciding factor (to speak up) was the fact I may never see the person my comment was directed at again.

It is harder to make the choice if you know you will encounter the person repeatedly. For instance, I'm sure we all know a friend-of-a-friend who is a total asshole, and your friend seems to be oblivious to that fact despite considerable supporting evidence. In that situation, unless you have major balls or relish causing drama, you probably should silently endure the person. After all, they aren't technically YOUR friend and if you're lucky you might only be forced to mingle with this person in mixed company where other nicer souls can distract you. Who knows, maybe every now and then the asshole is tolerable.

Now what happens when the asshole does something to piss your friend off? You risk alienating the friend if you commiserate and say something along the lines of "I always thought that person was an asshole!" because what happens if those two make up? Then YOU look like the jerk, even if it is the truth, your friend will remember and wonder if you are two faced and secretly hate everybody. At the same time, you kind of want your friend to see the light and realize how horrible the other person truly is. Sometimes bitches just need a smackdown, right?

So basically either way you are screwed. You can deal with the asshole OR look like one yourself. Two very unsatisfying options.