Here's a Knife
Slicing Through Tensions and Solving Conflicts
Situation:
You're supposed to meet with your friends for a movie and lunch. When you arrive, you realize that your friends are already there- and arguing over which movie to watch. The debate is heated, and you have no idea who to help- or how. Not wanting to be caught in the argument, you try to reason with both sides, trying to get them to compromise. However, not being able to reach a conclusion in time to watch either movie, you all begrudgingly end up watching the only other movie available, which four of you've already seen.
The tensions are high, and having heard them argue so much already, you can only cross your fingers and hope that they'll be able to agree on a place for lunch. No such luck. Five out of your group of eight friends want to eat at the sushi place, while the other three would rather just sit down at the food court. They can all feel the pressure, and all you want to do is just have a peaceful lunch so your day off won't end up as a total disaster. The majority of your friends seemingly feel the same way, and so you all agree to the food court idea, as it is the option where food choices were more diverse. Having sat down at the food court, two of the people who suggested that you guys eat in the food court refuse to get food. Those who wanted to go to the more expensive sushi restaurant in the first place are now really upset.
"Can we just go back to the sushi place if you're not going to eat here?" your friend asks the other two in an attempt to get them to keep the peace.
"Umm, can we not? I like sitting here." one of the stubborn ones repies in an annoyed tone. The tension in your section of the food court is so thick it would take a very sharp knife to slice through the air.
Your friend walks off, and you look around you at your group of friends. Everyone's pissed off, and what started out as a nice, sunny Friday off from school has suddenly turned into a high tension afternoon where everyone is upset. You have no real preference as to where you guys eat- all you wanted was to hang out and spend the day with them, have some fun goofing off at the mall, and maybe even get some shopping done. There's still a chance that could happen. What do you do?
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