Dogs need to sniff the ground; it's how they keep abreast of current events. The ground is a giant dog newspaper, containing all kinds of late-breaking dog news items, which, if they are especially urgent, are often continued in the next yard.
Professional marriage counselors agree that the most productive and mature way to deal with marital anger is to stomp dramatically from the room. You want to make your move before the opponent does, because the first person to stomp from the room receives valuable Argument Points that can be redeemed for exciting merchandise at the Marital Prize Redemption Center.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote humorously suggests that expressing anger in a marriage can be a strategic move rather than just a reaction.
Dave Barry's quote uses humor to illustrate the often comical dynamics of marital arguments, implying that sometimes, the way couples express their anger can become a form of competition. By suggesting that one can gain 'Argument Points' by stomping out of the room, it highlights how conflicts can be viewed less seriously and more as games, where the petty aspects can overshadow the actual issues at hand. Ultimately, it emphasizes the absurdity of some marital conflicts and the playful side of relationships.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a wedding speech to highlight the humorous aspects of marriage.
More from Dave Barry
All quotes →A sense of humor is a measurement of the extent to which we realize that we are trapped in a world almost totally devoid of reason. Laughter is how we express the anxiety we feel at this knowledge.
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