It's normal for couples to argue once in a while. In fact, it's healthy to solve disagreements by communicating in the right way. But we all have our own style of fighting, and how you handle an argument is key to the most important part of it – making up. See if you recognize yourself or your mate in these fighting styles. The Historian is the type of person who will bring up all the times in the past when you've committed the same offense you're fighting about this time around. So if he's upset about a mess that you didn't clean up, then he'll remind you of every single time you've left dirty dishes in the sink, not scooped the cat litter and so on. The Accuser is the type of person who doesn't acknowledge any of their own personal fault in the disagreement. In other words, it's all the other person's fault. The Accuser starts sentences with words like, "You never..." or "You always..." Never does The Accuser take responsibility for whatever's wrong. Perhaps one of the most toxic, The Librarian is the type to ignore problems and tends to clam up when something is wrong, rather than discussing it.
If things get to the point when The Librarian argues, then be prepared for the silent treatment when he or she is finished. It's OK to let The Librarian stew for a while and come back when he or she is ready to talk. The Apologist is sorry for absolutely everything – even things that are irrelevant to the issue at hand. He or she will say things like, "Well, I'm sorry for even being in your life!" or "If it weren't for me, you'd be so much happier." The Apologist likes to blow the argument completely out of proportion. Help The Apologist by telling him or her firmly that you love him or her regardless, then bringing the discussion back to the argument itself. And closely related to The Apologist is The Fatalist, the one who believes that every disagreement, no matter how petty, heralds the end of the entire relationship. This one can be exhausting, to say the least. But The Fatalist is easy to nip in the bud – just laugh off his or her threats of ending the relationship when the argument really is not worth it. Don't take the threats seriously or the situation can escalate. In fact, tell your mate you don't respond to threats and will resume the conversation once he or she is done threatening you.