My wife and I just had a big argument because I told her she was short with the campground host. We came into the campground, with our tent camper, late evening, and the host reluctantly opened his motorhome door to talk to us. I think he was watching a ball game and we disturbed him. My wife thought he was rude and was very upset with him. I tried to explain that the campground host program is not a 24/7 job, usually pays with free rent, and is designed more to supervise an area, not monitor and police it around the clock. When I told her the campground host is not like the doorman at the Ritz, Mount St. Helen went off. Can you straighten one of us out — preferably her. Thanks in advance. —Squabble in Sequoia
Dear Squabble:
You are absolutely right in your understanding of the campground host job, but you need some work on your explanation delivery to your wife. Give her a break. Nothing is as frustrating as arguing with someone who knows what he’s talking about. Sometimes after a day of driving and getting in late, nerve endings can be a bit frayed, fuses a bit short and sarcasm levels a bit high.
At this point in the day everyone should put themselves in the other persons moccasins. In a perfect world the host would see that you are in late and having a tough time. Your wife might consider the host has had enough problems for one day and is trying to relax and watch his game.
You have the hardest job. You have to be a spectator and not a referee. I think you were doing fine until the “Ritz” remark. My suggestion would be to get your wife a campground host job. This will save you some rent, give her a broader view of the many duties a campground host is responsible for, and a glimpse into the hassles many of them have to deal with daily.
I must temper all these remarks with the fact that hosts come in all varieties and some have a much more compassionate disposition than others. Your wife could have been partially right about this host. You should always try to meet her halfway unless she is a poor judge of distance. I’m not suggesting you and your wife ignore your disagreements. “Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; and argument an exchange of ignorance.” But, one thing you should never do is argue in a tent. When you go stomping out of a tent and slam the flap behind you, there are no sound effects. —Keep Smilin’, Dr. R.V. Shrink
The RV Shrink is not really a psychologist (or professional RV technician). But he does know a lot.
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