In reference to my last "blog" entry about confronting people, I'd like to point out situations where it is, in fact, okay to confront other people about issues.
Theft:
If somebody is stealing your stuff. From your apartment, your car or your person.
Cheating:
Only if it's YOUR wife/girlfriend/significant other.
Endangerment:
If somebody is putting you in danger, physically. Drunk driving, brick tossing, sloppy use of nunchucks, etc.
Distruction of Property:
Self explanitory. Throwing stars in your walls, car driven through your front door, Pittsburg Steelers practicing in your rose bushes, etc.
Abuse:
One time only. If somebody you know is being abused, talk to them about it. Friends, family, etc. Tell them they don't deserve it, give them options and solutions. Don't use threats against the abuser, that doesn't work. Threatening to kill said abuser will usually just put the person on the defensive. Also, it could put your friend/family member in danger. A lot of times people who abuse physically are cowards so if they are confronted and threatened they will usually take it out on the person they were abusing to begin with. Again, one time shot only. If they don't listen it's not worth going back into everytime. People have to help themselves.
Addiction:
If a friend or family member is addicted to something (i.e. gambling, alcohol, meth, polar bear wrestling) try to be there for them and see if they really want to change their life. If they don't they won't no matter how much you try to help them. One time shot only. If they don't want to quit stay away from them.
Most often when people ask "should I confront them?" they are not referring to these situations. It is usually some minor offense or wrong doing (friend is cheating on her boyfriend, wife's friend is kind of a bitch, brothers dog pees too much, etc). These kinds of situations are best to avoid, just because they are rarely resolved well and cause more problems then solve. In most cases, the offending person should only be confronted once and then just avoided to reduce stress on your own life. Even if they are your "best friend" or your "one true love." Sometimes people change for the worst and aren't worth holding on to.
