I read recently of a young man, recently married, who chanced to meet an old friend. The friend had already notched several anniversaries on his belt. After a bit of small talk, the veteran said to the rookie: "How's married life treating you?"

"To tell the truth," said the young fellow, "things don't seem to be going all that well. My wife is always telling me what to do...bossing me around...acting as if I can't think for myself."

"Had that trouble myself," said the man with many years of marriage behind him. "It really got to me after awhile. I tried everything. Tried reason. Tried logic. Tried negotiation. Tried speaking up. Tried shutting up. Finally one day I lost my temper. I reached back and kind of hit her one upside the head. Didn't mean to do it. Didn't really mean to hurt her…