Your Bad Day Is Not My Problem

Emotional intelligence is getting a lot of attention these days, thankfully so. But very few people talk about emotional temperament. There are people who think that just because they are hurt, or because they are going through a difficult phase in life, they have the right to treat others with disdain. This is particularly common in relationships. One person is in a bad mood and starts yelling at their partner and children. Everyone else has to walk on eggshells because somebody is having a bad day. And somehow, this is treated as legitimate behaviour. People have accepted this as a norm. Why should I care if you are going through your menstrual cycle and dealing with hormonal changes? You have my sympathy, and you will get all the support you need from me. But why the fuck should I tolerate your insensitive remarks? Similarly, if I am overwhelmed with work or frustrated because my boss yelled at me, I have no right to transfer that frustration onto my family. They are not obligated…