Thursday, 4 December 2008

Passive Agression

Last Night

Amy: We've got no coffee. I really need a coffee before I go to my interview tomorrow morning and I won't have time to get any.

Isaac: That's okay. The shop opens at eight. I'll get up at ten to eight and go get some coffee while you're having a shower.

Amy, leaving the room: Okay.

Isaac: You're welcome!
Sorry.
Was that passive aggressive?

Amy, coming back for a hug: Yes. You know I appreciate the things you do for me. I tell you all the time.


This morning

Amy:
Oh, the weather is awful. I can't send you out to get coffee. It wouldn't be fair. I can get it myself.

Isaac, who had very little sleep last night, silently sighs with relief in bed.

Later

Amy, sounding unhappy: I don't think I've got time to get coffee from the shop before I go. I'll get coffee in town.

Isaac: Are you sure? I can still get coffee from the shop.

Amy, sounding non-committal: Well, getting coffee just before the interview is really too late.

Later

Amy: It's nearly ten to eight.

Isaac thinks: Hmm. That sounds like a reminder to get up and get the coffee. It sounds like that is the currently expected plan.

Amy: I'm not going to have a shower because I don't want to wash my hair and I can't have a shower without washing my hair.

Isaac thinks: Surely you have time to get the coffee yourself then.

but Isaac says (and afterwards will struggle to understand why): I showered without washing my hair when I had long hair. I went six months without washing my hair.

Amy, sarcastically while leaving the room: Great. Thanks.

Isaac thinks about his anger and frustration for a couple of minutes, thenn gets up, gets dressed and leaves to get a pack of coffee. He comes back, turns the kettle on and leaves the pack of coffee by it.

Isaac, on his way back to bed: The kettle's on.

Amy: Thanks. Are you going back to bed?

Isaac: Yeah.

Later

Isaac has a pillow over his head to blot out some of the light and radio noise while Amy continues to get ready.

Amy: Okay, I'm going now. Bye.

Isaac, waving hand: Bye.

Amy, sounding annoyed: Well aren't you going to wish me luck?

Isaac, possibly raising hand again: Good luck.