Interpersonal communication is irreversible. What you have communicated remains communicated; you cannot uncommunicate.

[Situation] Bill and David are old college friends who are getting together for a weekend visit at a summer house owned by Bill’s parents. The two friends get into a heated discussion about siblings. David has never liked Bill’s older brother, Henry, whom Bill really is fond of. But David has always refrained from giving his opinion. During the heat of the moment, though, David blurts out: “Henry is the biggest wus I’ve ever met.” Bill looks deeply offended. What should David do?

1. Say specifically what he dislikes about Henry and emphasize that he does like some qualities possessed by Bill’s brother. (response)
   
   
2. Apologize profusely and renounce his position on Henry. (response)
   
   
3. Change the subject. (response)

Copyright © 1995-2010, Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Allyn & Bacon Legal and Privacy Terms