She's frickin crazy, he's such a baby

Avoiding an argument is about being able to do one thing - swallow your pride. Most arguments get intense because both people involved are too entrenched in their own point of view to accept that the other person's point of view may have some merit. In other words, most people are too proud to be wrong. As an argument progresses, that pride is challenged more aggressively, to the point that it becomes nearly impossible to push aside.

All that has to happen for an argument to end (or be avoided altogether) is for one person to decide that being wrong is ok.

Ask yourself, what's the "cost" of this argument going to be? Alternatively, what's the cost of ending or not having the argument by letting the other person think they're right, even if you don't really feel that way? If the latter is potentially more severe, swallow your pride and avoid the whole thing.

Hey Matt,
Great comment -- much too healthy and mature for the average relationship -- but still a great comment. In immature relationships you love people because of what they do right, in mature ones you love people in spite of what they do wrong.
Thanks.

My solution is being married to someone that has like interests, goals, beliefs, and values. Don't settle or rush just because you don't want to be alone. If this is not you and you settle for the immature sort of relationship, good luck with that! It's like your comment to the first comment, Dr. Mark - love in spite of what is wrong. The "wrong" being simple things like wrong turns, running late, and turning your socks pink. None of which makes a difference in the big picture.

I used to think that couples who didn't argue, didn't talk to each other. Then I met my husband, Dale. As weird as it may seem, we (together since 1996) have never had an argument. It's not because I'm not willing to duke it out. It's because my husband just doesn't argue. Because it's pretty tough to have a one-way fight, we talk through our disagreements and, as amazing as it may seem, neither one of us has ever called the other a name or raised our voice. OK, well, I've raised my voice a time or two. But Dale has never raised his voice to me. In fact, even though I'm certain he doesn't think I'm perfect, he has never once criticized me. He has set a pretty darned good example, one that I appreciate and emulate. So, when I find myself irritated with him, I remember how nice it is that we have never said in anger something we regret, there's no nastiness for which we've had to apologize, and I shut my mouth before becoming the first to break that record. Do we get irritated with each other? Of course. But, we let it pass and, before you know it, whatever it was that was irritating is forgotten and we're laughing again.