By David Peel
Some disputes wind up in litigation, going to court, where they are argued with passion. Many other disputes are resolved amicably, between the parties. But a few disputes just rage on, intermittently, forever. These become “feuds.” Wikipedia defines A feud, as a long-running argument or fight, often between social groups of people, especially families or clans. The Hatfield–McCoy feud is the most famous. Here are some modern, if not much more gentle, feuds that you may be fighting without even realizing it: MCDONALDS HOT COFFEE FEUD: Here, only a part of the story has been told, so understandably, one group sides with the Golden Arches and thinks the case is the symbol for all the problems in America’s court system. The other side is angered that the full story of the restaurant’s awful actions, (183 degree coffee, hundreds of third degree burns, etc.) was never told to the public, and the victim was blamed. TOILET ROLL FEUD: It is hard to believe that this still rages on in bathrooms and water closets across the Western World, but ask anyone. Obviously, the roll should roll out to you. Some people insist on hiding the tag end over against the wall, but no one is sure why. Nice hotels even point the end of the roll artfully out, as if to remind you how it should be. They are professional toilet-roll-pointers for goodness’ sake, so they know. “NEXT” WEEK FEUD: Here again, there are unnecessary misunderstandings, unkept appointments and generalized weeping and gnashing of teeth. Example: If today is Monday the 1st, and you say “This Saturday is the big game.” Everyone, and I mean everyone, will think you mean this coming Saturday, the 6th. No problem. The problem is when you say, “Next Saturday is the big game.” To me, this means the same Saturday the 6th. To others, it means Saturday after this one or, in our example, Saturday the 13th. I see as the “next Saturday to come” or the 6th. The other side sees it as the “next Saturday after this one.” But they are wrong. As a lawyer, I am always ready with proof and evidence. The most convincing evidence is that given by your opponent. Thus, I simply ask this question, per the example above: “If on Monday the 1st, I say “Saturday after next,” what date do I mean?” a. Saturday the 6th? b. Saturday the 13th? c. Saturday the 20th? Notice how almost everyone picks b. Including, by the way, the folks who thought “next Saturday” ALSO meant the 13th! How can “next Saturday” and “Saturday after next” both be identical dates? They cannot. That is why they are wrong. But they will never admit it. Please share this with those people you regularly feud with on these issues. Peel seeks justice for those injured in car accidents, work place incidents, medical malpractice, and nursing homes. He often addresses churches, clubs and groups without charge. Peel may be reached through PeelLawFirm.com wherein other articles may be accessed.
— What do you think? Send Letters to the Editor to [email protected].
