Verbal Self Defense

An example: Scenario A

Ellen walked through the front door ten minutes after Jack did. He wasted no time before letting her know how he felt about that.

Where have you been? he demanded, both hands on his hips and his face set in a fierce scowl. You were supposed to be home half an hour ago, for crying out loud!

Ellen stared at him. What do you mean, where have I been? I've been at work!

Oh, don't give me that!, he snapped. You get off at five Ellen, and it's nearly six-thirty! You've been in some store haven't you?
If you you'd sit down and make a grocery list at the beginning of the week like I keep telling you to, you wouldn't run out of something every single day! If I ran my buisness the way you run this house--

If you did your share of running this house, Jack, I might listen to that! But you don't! I hold down a full-time job just like you do, and then I come home and have all the housework to do on top of it, while you stand around and complain!

Oh, come on, Ellen, Jack said, sarcasm dripping from every word, there's no comparison between my job and yours, and you know it! You sit around at the office all day reading magazines and filling your nails -- I really work! And when I get home, I expect a little hard-earned peace and relaxation! But YOU can't even get home in time to cook DINner!

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See Verbal Abuse