Linda and Larry are angry because their new neighbors in the apartment complex, Dale and Donna, seem to hold late-night parties every Thursday. Linda and Larry both have long work days that require them to rise early and remain alert all day. Linda and Larry have asked Dale and Donna to keep the noise down on Thursday nights and conclude their parties by midnight. Dale and Donna have ignored their requests. Linda and Larry have reached their boiling points and have decided to call the police this Thursday if the party goes on beyond midnight.

It may be inferred that Linda and Larry have handled the situation using a contending strategy, as they are pursuing outcomes that will only satisfy their needs and are not concerned with Dale and Donna's needs. This may be a valid observation based on what we know about this situation. If anyone has been annoyed by noisy neighbors, or neighbors who have dogs barking well into the night may have some empathy with Linda and Larry. Sometimes when our annoyance threshold has been breached, we may react in a less than rational way. What should we do to compose ourselves before confronting a conflict such as this so it does not escalate into an intractable conflict where a resolution may not be possible or very difficult to achieve?