desensitised from over use...
My partner, whom I love dearly, bless her, tends to over-use the phrase, "we need to talk".

Now in our early days this used to scare the bejesus out of me. Not in the least because her finishing with me would involve a lot of pain and loneliness (and packing and moving home) on my part.

But in the intervening years I have developed an immunity to the fear those four words instills in most right-thinking individuals.

Because I have learned that she actually means we literally just need to talk (as opposed to rutting, watching TV and drinking). So the dreaded "We need to talk..." is often followed by conversations about any number of things from relationship related d and m's, to family problems, work, life, TV, drinking, rutting etc, etc.

So there's no problem there. I'm used to it.

The strange part is, I now do not fear those words in any context. To the point that people end up complimenting me on how well I take being screwed over, or berating me for being cold and detached when recieving particularly bad or good news.

To date, I have remained cool as a cucumber, aloof and relaxed while being told;

- Our parents have been in a car accident
- Your sister died three times on the operating table
- You're fired
- This company is being liquidated
- I'm divorcing your brother
- We're having a baby
- Grandma died

I could go on, but I fear you may all think I am too callous, cold and detached.
(lessmiserable, Fri 20 Apr 2007, 10:41, Reply)