Does one misunderstanding sometimes spoil the beginning of a great friendship?

Question

I say the beginning because sometimes in the beginning before people know each other inside out, that's when little 'misunderstandings' and misinterpretations take place. When one little conflict arises in the beginning, do you tend to say, "Ok well, that's not how I thought they would be as a friend" and let the friendship peter out. Or do you say, "This has to just be a silly misunderstanding" and work through it until you are back on track again?

Is it just too hard to know what's right and wrong? What do you do?

Answer 1

Sigh. I wish it were otherwise. It was a simply misunderstanding that grew into a big deal. I was simply doing a good deed by helping a woman get back onto her feet. I met this woman at a club and the opportunity to help her simply fell into my lap. Now, my wife and I are poles apart. She doesn't believe me that I was working part time as a social worker. She is so mad that I have been stripped of all my privleges as a husband. I just can't dance around the situation anymore. I have become pale and pasty.

Answer 2

Well, one misunderstanding should never spoil the beginning of a relationship, as for it being GREAT, that may or may not come about even if the misunderstanding is worked out. So many times it's a matter of interpretation , or taken literally when it should be interpreted...you just have to hang in there to make it work...and it's usually worth it..

Answer 3

It depends on the nature of the misunderstanding. For example, if such a conflict revealed that the person had very poor moral judgment, I would decide to stay away. If, on the other hand, we simply had different definitions of a term we both used, and needed to iron that out, I would try to do that. I don't mind giving people the benefit of the doubt, but when there's no longer any doubt, I'm outta there.

Answer 4

I have a hard time trying to say things
properly when I am typing and I get misinterpreted, so I know it seems I am always in the wrong...what can you do once they have their own judgements on you,
just say sorry for the misunderstanding

Answer 5

It depends on one's character. It takes 2 hands to clap to solve misunderstandings. If one of you can fore-go the misunderstanding and the other can't, then it's time to let go of each other before matters become worst.

If not, go and talk things out to settle the issue and make it known that both of you are willing to patch things out. It's neither easy nor hard, depending on circumstances.

Cheers :)

Answer 6

I personally feel that it's up to the 2 people involved to decide whether or not it's worth taking the time to work out the communications problem. I really do wish you luck with this, and if it wouldn't be too much trouble could you let me know how it works out girl?

Answer 7

I usually try and at least talk about it with that person to clear the air and see if the conflict or misunderstanding can be resolved.

Answer 8

Depends on the people involved, I guess. It shouldn't ruin a friendship. Two different people are always going to have some sort of disagreements here and there. It's part of life.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, it does happen quite often!

That's because, many of us, lack the real quality of character, required to empathize objectively. Reactive character, is another reason why we do not communicate well.

Answer 10

These days, I'm very forgiving. But I'm also lonely because for years I wasn't very forgiving.

So my advice to all is, don't sweat the small stuff.