Angry customers.
Being hit with an unexpected bill at the hotel, spouses feel the tension between them rise. They both feel upset in the first place, because they have worked hard and saved up for a long time for this journey, and their frustration has no direction because, in fact, it can be argued, that everyone is to blame.
At home they seek to relieve themselves of the negative emotions, but pick the wrong way of doing so by first snapping at each other and then causing their kids to feel the same emotions, because their parents are fighting. Both Bill and Nadine perceive the situation through similar frames, in which they see each other as being guilty of what has happened, and their frames do not let them take a broader look at the situation and understand the fact that none of them could be fully responsible for it.
The correct way to deal with negative emotions in this case would be to acknowledge that an unfortunate thing has happened, but in a way that would allow to accept it and instead of locking anger in, turn it into force that would help overcome this event. An apology would make Bill and Nadine realize that it is not them, who are the source of the problem and frustration, but only an extra $150 bill, thus, rendering their anger at each other pointless.
The Larsons.
Larsons family are influenced with the uncertainty and fear that they do not fully control their lives. In case of Evan it is because he gets manipulated by his ex and parents, who are using his son Nelson and the feeling of guilt, that deeply affects Evan. In case of Chloe, her ex is not letting go completely by sabotaging Chloe’s attempts to sell her part of their mutual business, irritating and not letting her move on with her life.
When they discuss their problems the spouses do not open to each other completely, because they themselves are not ready to accept their failures. Evan should be more firm in his position against his parents and ex, and Chloe should sort things out with her ex by talking to him and not trying to find a way to hurt him more. Evan’s understanding is locked up to the frame in which his own sensibility is constantly questioned by his ex and parents and, because of the constant pressure he is feeling, when it comes to understanding and giving his wife an advice, he sticks to the safest option and is not ready to fully support Chloe, whatever way she picks. In turn, the frame through which Chloe sees her relationship with her ex is largely concentrated on revenge, both her ex’s and hers, since she, unable to fully detach emotions from business, is ready to do reckless things without thinking about the consequences.
In their conversations Evan and Chloe both take defensive positions and often give sarcastic answers that render the conversation pointless, because neither Chloe nor Evan are ready to sincerely listen and help each other, since they are obsessed with their personal problems that may seem totally unrelated at the first glance, but are, in fact, affecting their marriage. A sincere and honest apology after one of their many conversations gone wrong, would release them from the tension they are likely to feel against each other and enable them to develop a closer relationship. Evan can take control of his own life, but when he does so, it is likely going to upset his parents, because they will not be able to manipulate him anymore, even if they did it unintentionally and unknowingly before. An apology from Evan for upsetting them in this way would make it much easier for his parents to accept his position. At the same time, if Chloe talks to her ex and apologizes for anything she knows he may want revenge for, it would help settle unresolved matters between them, however, only in case if her ex is an understanding person.
