Emotional Chicken 

Exerting dominance over someone with a bluff during a conversation, at which point the counterpart to the verbal exchange also bluffs. The bluffs generally multiply exponentially as intensity of conversation escalates. Whoever backs down first loses and the fictitious consequences dissolve.

Per 1 - “We need to be at the airport by 4 o’clock, my sister gets home from work at 3:15 and she can drive us. Which helps tremendously because she is watching the dogs for us while we are away.”

Per 2 - “Ok, we have to arrive at your sisters house by 3 for this to work. Will you definitely be ready to leave our house at 1:30 tomorrow?”

Per 1 - “YOU KNOW WHAT, I’M JUST GONNA TEXT MY SISTER AND TELL HER THAT WE ARE HIRING A CAR SERVICE INSTEAD!!!”

Per 2 - “FINE!!”

Per 1 - ...picks up cell phone and starts “texting sister”

Per 2 - “Maybe I’ll just cancel the flight and we’ll just stay home!”

Per 1 - “Maybe I’ll just move out!!”

Per 2 - “Oh yeah, maybe I’ll file for divorce!”

Per 1 - “Maybe you will”

Per 2 - “Don’t text your sister, I’m sure you’ll be ready to leave on time.”

Per 1 - “ok, love you”

Per 2 - “love you too”

Per 1 - “another successful round of emotional chicken wings by yours truly!”

Emotional Chicken by Bill Shakesbeer October 13, 2021