Everyone must have at least one friend who can't leave well-enough alone. I have an intelligent friend who demonstrates this behavior. It's old and quite, frankly very annoying. It doesn't matter if someone is discussing the color paint they want to paint their bedroom or where the same person wants to go on their next vacation. It makes it difficult to share any thoughts with this friend.

Why would you bother talking with any guy or girl only to have all of your thoughts or ideas picked apart and to enivitably hear "...yeah, but it'd be better if you...," or "That's stupid, you should..." There is always a better idea the controlling or "to smart for their own good" person has. No, it doesn't matter if they are well versed in whatever the topic may be (from weather to how to change the oil in your car). I've begun to notice that everyone around avoids topics of conversation from this arguementative person just because they don't want to deal with the inevitable "no, you should..." or other various comments. How else can I describe this...backseat driver syndrome? I know this friend of mine enjoys provoking responses from people.

Here's a thought...

I guess this is similiar to Jim Romes approach to his ESPN TV show. It doesn't matter how many times Jim Rome takes his shot at soccer players and the Padres, I still watch the show and bare through the provocative comments he makes daily. I guess I appreciate Jim's alternative viewpoints, and cold, directy honesty when verbally abusing Anna Kounakova or any other underperforming athelete. If Jim Rome was a good friend of yours, would you be careful about which people you introduced him to and avoid taking him around certain friends alltogether? Would Jim Rome be taking it too far if after hanging out with another group of friends he basically bashes them and degrades who they are? I think so.

It sucks when you have to take a friend's personality into account before taking them out in public.

But, people don't change and I'm not into changing who people are. It's their life, they can live it however they want, even if they want to be an obstinant prick.

I should balance out this bitchy post with a note that clarifys my stance on receiving feedback from those I respect. I love getting feedback, and I can take constructive criticism. I enjoy thought provoking conversations that sometimes force you to think from a different perspective. That's how we become better people, right? My point is that some people take these liberties too far and end up pissing everyone around them off, or just losing their respect.

One thing I've learned recently in dealing with this is patience. It is a virtue that I have struggled with all of my life. I bet you I die at the ripe old age of 100 and still don't have this one entirely figured out. Maybe I should be thankful for having the opportunity to learn this lesson earlier than later. Maybe I should get my friend custom fitted for a muzzle. Now that would be interesting and entertaining.