When Can We Talk?

When can we talk? If this is a rhetorical question, you can imagine how upset the speaker feels when he/she confronts you with this question. This complaint actually sends two messages--positive and negative, depending on how you look at it and what kind of person you are. Since I am a positive person, let me start with the positive message. The speaker wants to communicate or share some feelings with you so badly that he/she gets upset when he/she knows you're not available AGAIN! How about the negative message? I believe anyone who's in a relationship can come up with a long list--the speaker is so self-centered that he/she doesn't notice why the timing is bad or "When can you listen to me? You've ignored me long enough!"
How do you respond to your spouse's complaint when he/she asks you this question?  If you know the answer, please let me know. I have been faced with this situation quite a few times but haven't found any solution yet. Helpless, I have nothing else to do except for swallowing it. After all, learning to compromise or give-and-take is part of the intimate relationship. I should feel fortunate because my spouse didn't respond to me with "What do you want me to say?"


Dan & Me