I have observed one of the classic foibles of people is their tendency to overshare.

It’s like we need to explain our justification process for our decisions—as if a simple “no” will not suffice.

Perhaps it’s the way we’re raised? I can recall plenty of times my parents, grandparents, &c. would ask me “Why?” This happened enough to where we’re conditioned to offer the reason before we’re asked.

So, if we want to end our relationship with our trash hauler, we feel compelled to give them a reason why. Or switching from cable to dish. Or switching mechanics—wait that’s easier... we just become a ghost to our old mechanic, which then leads to that awkward situation when you run into him at that local diner in our small town.

Is this the same mentality that leads to relationships ending via text message? Or a change in relationship status on the Facebook?

Possibly. We’re conditioned that ANY confrontation is so bad that it must be avoided at all costs.

Anger. Is. Bad.

Society: you’re missing the point. Blind rage is bad. Violence is bad. Anger is valid—and necessary. By not allowing people to blow off steam, you’re just exacerbating the problem.

Passive aggressiveness is the problem. (Well, society is the problem, but I digress.)

I still find it amusing that this “back to nature” crowd finds any. emotion. at. all. offensive. We need to be more like robots. Bottled up.

No.

But we’ll keep on being passive aggressive. Keep on back biting. Keep on oversharing.

Anything to avoid actual confrontation.