Entry for 18th November, 2007

My significant Other has been engaged in a frenzy of domestic activity. This has largely centered on making me move large objects from one side of rooms to the other, then saying in an undecided tone "I think I liked the piano where it was before. What do you think?"
The question "What do you think?" when posed by women that you are close to is a dangerous one for us menfolk. There are few safe answers. If you opt for the seemingly innocuous "I'm happy to leave it up to you," then this is likely to be met with accusations that you never take an interest in her hair/decoration/the need to sponsor a donkey sanctuary in West Wales (delete as appropriate). Equally, telling the truth is generally not an option when it comes to such matters. This is because the truthful answer is almost always "I really don't care. Please can I go back to the important job of alphabetically cataloging my extensive CD collection."
Venturing an opinion on the matter in hand carries the risk that your view will be the exact opposite of what your Significant Other believes to be The One true Answer. If you go down this path you must be prepared for a long and tortuous conversation. along these lines -
"Do you really think so?
"Yes. I do."
"Why do you think that?"
"Dunno really."
"I suppose you might be right, but don't you think the donation to the donkey sanctuary is socially important?"
"Not really."
"Why?"
"Look I'm not all that bothered."
"But it's important to me that we talk about these things."
"If it's all that important to you, just make the donation."
"But I'd never do something you don't want to. Unlike you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"No...well - it's just that your feeling are important to me."
And so on, until she gets her way anyway.