I disagree with the assumption that the worst will happen, but I suspect geographic differences are a factor. — ashleedawg 49 secs ago

+1 for not turning this into an emotional rant on some technical detail in the communication. Most answers seem to focus on trying to change the other person or the OP, without a measurable target. The key to objectivity is that it must be measurable. So if both parties cannot agree who has positional authority in a given situation, there will be chaos or stalemating. — Jon Grah 58 secs ago

It would be interesting to hear why the down-voter disagrees with the points in this answer. — brhans 37 secs ago

the mileage will depend too much on the intimacy and culture, but since the people coming here for help will drift toward the socially-awkward or introvert types (like me on both counts), extra care should be taken. +1 — Mindwin 7 secs ago

@LordFarquaad if I may answer this on behalf of swbarnes. Ignoring the name for a second, the blog datingasociopath.com is an amazing resource which lists behaviours like the above and places them in the correct context with regard to such dysfunctional relationship dynamics, and what OP describes is a very typical example. The whole blog is well worth reading. I agree with swbarnes, this is very typical behaviour in that context. (note that one is not saying they are necessarily intentional behaviours -- they may just be maladaptive, but they are intended to produce an effect nonetheless). — Tasos Papastylianou 57 secs ago

I agree, this answer is good with the core ingredients of greatness if it's fleshed out more. In America we gave ghe — Harper 1 min ago