Sometimes compromise doesn’t work, and you just have to make a choice. Luckily, I have a solution — 4 of them, in fact. These techniques allow for civil and entertaining decision-making for the most difficult décor dilemmas.
Rock-Paper-Scissors (RPS), aka Paper-Scissors-Rock (PSR)
Some things you learned in grade school stay with you the rest of your life. Like the perfect ratio of peanut butter to jelly or the insightful motto, “boys rule, girls drool.” RPS has historically settled a range of disputes, ranging from which team goes first in kickball to more important matters like settling on a new color for the living room. Just make sure you both agree on when to “shoot.”
Rhyme Time
This one’s for the bookish types out there. Simply say a word, and then take turns rhyming the previous word with your partner/opponent. If you repeat a word or can’t find a rhyme, you lose that round. Best two out of three, obviously. NOTE: Trying to start a round with a word that doesn’t rhyme, like orange or purple, leads to immediate disqualification and brings shame to your family.
Sock Wars
Some disputes are best settled by diffusing verbal warfare with a light physical competition. The goal is simple: Whoever can wrestle both socks off of the other first is the winner. Would not recommend “socking” after Thanksgiving dinner, or while pregnant. This one’s nice because you can make it a “Royal Stumble” by adding a third or fourth person in there if it’s a group decision. Just make sure you put away the china.
