Slap the Chicken
In this episode of Modern Family we get to see the what happens when a partner in an intimate relationship violates a an important custom for the other partner. Gloria, who is Colombian has certain beliefs which we see in this clip. Jay angers Gloria in his disregard for her deceased mother and their customs regarding the dead. Gloria's solution is to screw with Jay and have him do some ridiculous "traditional" Colombian customs while preparing the chicken. When Jay violates these customs he demonstrates this idea of "relational transgression" which states that one person in the relationship violates implicate terms of the relationship letting the other person in the relationship down. Now, since Gloria is a spitfire, she doesn't let herself end up just sad about the situation with Jay and his lack of understanding. She makes him aware of the importance, and then gets even. Now, to understand the relational maintenance in this duo, you must have some understanding of their relational dynamic. So watch the show is what I'm saying. Gloria's getting back at Jay evens the playing field, it is the relational maintenance. This "maintenance"concept means that there is communication aimed at making the relationship run smooth and keep it satisfactory. So even though the way that Gloria goes about this would be more like getting back at Jay and building resentments, in their relationship it is maintaining satisfaction while clearing any grudges and moving forward, happily.
Personally, I say bring on this kind of relational maintenance! If I or my partner can get in a little chuckle while keeping the satisfaction level high, then by all means, make me slap a chicken and scream.
Note: the following is purely opinion and in no where do I have factual documentation that this is true. Only my egocentrism (vocab from previous blog, eh eh!) kicking in where I am always right. So any who, I think that if you can keep satisfaction with laughter and a little sarcasm, then by all means, have fun with it a little. Life is too short to always have a hot poker up your butt about every small thing. And sometimes even the things that are nearest and dearest to your heart need a little laughter to make a situation more bearable and relational.
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