851: Try a Little Tenderness
This American Life
Deep Dive
Why did May and Johanna resolve their conflict so quickly?
May expressed her anger verbally instead of acting on it impulsively, and Johanna responded with kindness by offering a humorous compromise. This approach allowed May to release her frustration in a controlled way, leading to a peaceful resolution.
What lesson does the story of May and Johanna illustrate about conflict resolution?
The story highlights the effectiveness of communication and kindness in resolving conflicts. By expressing emotions verbally and responding with understanding, even heated situations can be de-escalated quickly.
Why did Alan Martin experience crow attacks after cutting down a tree?
The crows were likely upset because the tree held significance to them, possibly as a nesting site. Crows are territorial and intelligent, and they remembered Alan as a threat, leading to repeated dive-bombing attacks.
How did Alan eventually make peace with the crows?
Alan offered the crows almonds on a shiny plate as a peace offering. After several days of this gesture, the crows stopped their aggressive behavior, indicating they accepted the truce.
What does the story of the bus driver illustrate about fairness and ideology?
The bus driver prioritized societal fairness over individual kindness, believing that even small delays for late passengers would unfairly inconvenience everyone on the bus. However, in a moment of compassion, he broke his own rule to help Eddie, showing the tension between ideology and empathy.
- May and Johanna resolved their conflict peacefully.
- Johanna's unexpected suggestion to let May punch her butt helped de-escalate the situation.
- Communication and understanding played a crucial role in resolving the conflict.