Stuck in the middle with you.......
By Rocketj1
@rocketj1 (6955)
United States
April 9, 2012 11:31pm CST
A good friend called us up on Saturday night at about 7:15 and asked if we wanted to come over and play cards with them. I told her that I had sat down to supper as I had just gotten out of work. She said "eat your dinner then call me back if you are still interested". We decided to go. Of course, I needed to change and freshen up and the drive was about 20 minutes. So when we got there it was kind of late.
They had been remodeling their kitchen that day. My friend has some medical issues, so her husband had done a lot of the manual labor. He had taken down cabinets and re-hung them in another room. They had removed some wall paper and done some general cleaning to get ready to paint cabinets and walls next.
I could tell that her husband was tired. I kind of got the feeling that my friend was really the one that wanted company and that hubby could have just as well gone to bed early. He was a bit passive aggressive and a tad sarcastic with her throughout the card playing that night. While we had a good enough time, I couldn't help but think that we were rather in the middle of some husband/wife hostility. A little awkward. If it had been too much, I think we would have called it an early night.
Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever made a hasty exit when things got a little heated?
2 people like this
5 responses
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
10 Apr 12
Oh dear.... soooo uncomfortable. Even with good friends or family, no one wants to feel like they're in the middle of something personal :( My ex brother- and sister-in-law used to get into arguments ALL the time at family functions. I hated it because they made everyone feel uncomfortable and intrusive. If it got bad, I would stay for a few more minutes and make an excuse to leave. I just don't enjoy being in the middle of other people's tension. As an aside, it really does seem like your friends had done a lot of hard work that day and I'm sure you're right that the husband probably DID want to just go to bed :(
@jamborieman (563)
• Philippines
10 Apr 12
Hahahaha have you ever tried being the middle man? wherein they always tell things to you about the other person as if they are trying to get your side? that's a really awkward feeling 
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
10 Apr 12
OMG yes! When they would fight, they would each complain to me separately about the other one... and, really, what are you supposed to say??? LOL You just listen and say uh huh, yes, I know, that's too bad... over and over and over ;)
@jamborieman (563)
• Philippines
10 Apr 12
hahahha EXACTLY 
mostly happened to me during my highschool days 
mostly happened to me during my highschool days 1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
10 Apr 12
I have, and it makes you want to get out of there. I am sure the husband was just plain tired. I would have just excused myself a little early and let him rest. I hate to go somewhere and feel uncomfortable.
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
10 Apr 12
We kept our visit kind of short. We kind of took our hostesses lead at one point. After we finished our second game, we waited for her to say "one more game?" We could tell that things were winding down then. Next time she invites us that late, I will be sure to find out how they spent their day and make my decision accordingly!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
11 Apr 12
I've never really been in that type of situation since we aren't exactly social butterflies. I probably would have excused myself early out of respect for the tired husband.. or I suppose he could have excused himself and gone to bed. The wife invited you, not him.. he could have politely said he was tired and gone to bed and left you all to play without him.
@jamborieman (563)
• Philippines
10 Apr 12
I've had an experience like that as well. I usually experience that when I'm at home with my mom and dad. They are the type of couples that you know have small fights. And usually while eating, both of them are nice to me but when it comes to each other i just sense that awkward feeling that there's this hatred..
but even though that happens a lot.. they still become sweet in the end.. so it's all good 
