Picture the scene. Costello  is hamming it up on stage. A bumbling Abbot unknowingly interrupts Costello’s act and barges in on stage selling popcorn. What ensues is a classic in miscommunication. While Costello is singing “Take me out to the ball game…” Abbot loudly shouts “get your peanuts and popcorn.” Two characters in the same space saying their own thing- loudly trying outshout each other at the same time.  They finally begin a classic dialogue on a shared interest- baseball! Costello calmly and repeatedly tells Abbot the players’ names- Who’s on first, What’s on Second, I don’t know is on Third. Costello is also trying to get his point across and thinks the only way he can do so is by repeating the information. But is he listening or  observing Abbot’s frustration and sincere efforts to get the player’s names correct?  Costello mirrors Abbot’s unawareness of his discomfort, much the same way Abbot didn’t realize that Costello was in the middle of an act.

Abbot struggles to learn the player’s names, getting frustrated but still trying to work with Costello. Costello calmly repeats the information about the player’s names- hammering the information. It’s a good example of what NOT to do when you want to get your point across - do NOT hammer.

There are several methods of communication that couples can learn that will certainly assist in decreasing frustration. However, it starts with the individual’s willingness to see outside of their viewpoint. If Costello had just tried a little harder to see Abbot’s discomfort, and Abbot had tried a little harder to state that he didn’t understand what Costello was saying…we wouldn’t have a classic.

Why write a blog about it? Probably because I’ve been seeing things through a student’s eyes. Concepts learned in school end up making one apply their skills to every situation. I must admit- it’s fun to look at old experiences with clinical eyes.  

It’s sad that we find characters failure to communicate with each other funny. Funny means there’s no work to be done. Communication starts with the realization that one must begin by changing himself. We can enjoy Abbot and Costello- but learn from them!  We must constantly work on communication skills in our own lives.

“Nuff said for now.  What’s tickling your funny bone- and what can you learn? Please comment below…

Here’s the link to “who’s on first”-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sShMA85pv8M