Dialogue of the deaf

In Mil Millington's excellent things my girlfriend and I have argued about (the website rather than the book) he gives an example of the definitive argument that couples have:

However, though I can't really say what the most frequent argument is, I can have a stab at the definitive one. This argument illustrates a fundamental theme - a core issue. Because of that, it can be used in all kinds of situations. The details are unimportant; the following example may be 'about' domestic chores, or shopping arrangements, or 'sorting out of children', or any number of things. Below those superficial, ephemeral points is the true heart of the matter. The argument goes:

Margret: 'I cannot believe that you didn't do it.'

Mil: 'You didn't ask me to do it.'

Margret: 'Why should I have to ask you to do it?'

Mil: 'So I know you want me to do it.'

Margret: 'But I have to ask you to do everything.'

Mil: 'But I do everything you ask me to.'

Margret: 'But I have to ask you to do everything.'

Mil: 'But I do everything you ask me to.'

Margret: 'No - listen - the point is, I have to ask you to do everything.'

Mil: 'Yes - and I do everything you ask me to.'

[Some hours later....]Margret: 'I... have to ask.... you... to do everything.'

Mil: 'And I... do everything... you ask me to.'

Margret: 'Arrgggh! Listen! I...'

And so on. You see the problem, yes? The problem is that, for some reason, Margret is completely unable to grasp the point that I do everything she asks me to. You'd think that'd be a simple enough concept, wouldn't you? Tch.

Keep this in mind as you read the comments in this piece by Dizzy and Tim on whether the lack of video evidence of 'a sustained attack' on police is proof that reports of such an attack were 'embellished'.