In the moments after a mistake, there is very little good that can be done, yet quite a bit can happen that will only serve to make things worse. Consider: How many times have you fumbled something coming off the stove, and then reached out to grab it at the last second, adding “burned fingers” to the list of problems you were facing? Or attempted to repair the mildly hurtful sentiment you just expressed, and heard your own traitorous voice inadvertently adding fuel to the fire? Or – and this is a purely hypothetical question, I assure you – how often have you dropped three priceless goblets filled with wine a bit more expensive than you could really afford, and then placed the remaining two in just the right spot so that you were almost destined to trip over them when you turned away from contemplating your error?
Anyway, I guess what I’m saying is that for the next party, I’ll just bring potato salad, all right?