It's complicated.

I used to hear that at work a lot. Part of the time, it was a cop-out and meant that the person across the table had no idea what was going on but didn't want to own up to that fact. Part of the time, it was just true.

I've decided that each reason is okay. Perfectly valid. Sometimes things really are too complicated to explain. Some of you might assert that this should never be the case. But I will respectfully disagree. People are complicated; situations usually involve people. Ergo, situations can be extremely complicated.

Think of a person you know--any person will do. Consider your own experience with this person, whether it's personal or professional or something else (I'm thinking and writing too fast to figure out just what that would be). Good or bad. Then, think of another person who also interacts with Person One, and consider what kind of relationship they have: good or bad. If their opinion differs from yours, ask yourself why that may be. Ask yourself what part of that you own.

I have some friends who are not very well-liked by a large number of people. But my interactions with these friends is so very different from what others may have seen or heard about them. It's tricky.

This concludes my Saturday sermon on human interaction. It may not be clear to you, but I certainly feel better.