Decision or Discussion?

I know that most married couples understand that each speaks a 'foreign' language: The woman speaks, female, while the husband speaks, male. They both can say the same thing but mean something totally opposite. For example, when the couple are talking about a summer vacation, they will talk about where they might go, things they would enjoy doing and long they will be away.

Days later, the husband bumps into a buddy of his and the friend says, "I hear you are going to Florida this summer for vacation." The man is totally shocked, "Who told you that?"  "My wife. She was talking with your wife and she said you were going to Florida for two weeks."

Allow me to explain for those less enlightened what has happened. The husband "assumed" his talk with his wife was nothing more than a 'discussion." While the wife came away with the assumption, they had made the 'decision' to go to Florida.

So what can we learn from this scenario? 1] You need to be able to translate exactly what they are saying [meaning]. Don't assume they are on the same page as you are. 2] Before parting company, repeat back to the other person, what you understood them to say.

Learning to communicate {learning what the other person really means} is crucial for a good marriage.