pride=person being the doormat; doormat=everyone else who's looking at the person being a doormat.

I am so confused

oops. i meant, it's a matter of perception. the person who's being a doormat would refer to what they're doing as pride.

we looking at the situation would refer to what that person is doing as being a doormat.

at least, that's how I would draw the line.

Ah I thought the person being a doormat has surrendered his pride to an undignified degree

that's actually an interesting way of saying it.

I just can't tell whether at times I am a prideful ass or righteously defending myself from being a doormat

welcome back Brad. Your Plurks don't sound happy

Hi newlywed! how was the honeymoon!

Yeah, I am in a bit of a quandry

I have noticed that some people can behave like real jerks and the world lays down for them,

Others assert themselves a little bit and everyone has a cow

i think it also depends on the context: which cultures these people are existing in. in the philippines, 'doormats' are glorified.

in the us people who assert themselves would have proper pride.

But El in truth, in the Philipines and in the US it just seems like some people we accept as assertive and others we want to roll over

oh. i finally see what you mean. i like assertive people better & I have no patience for doormats.

assertiveness for me connotes pro activeness. doormats seem to be unaware passive people that should deserve no sympathy from me.

at least in most cases, i'm sure there are exceptions

and i try not to add to the doormats' drama by refusing to thread on them, no matter how inviting they make it.