The subtleties of this situation seem to have passed unnoticed - HE asked HER what she wanted for Christmas. This might seem to be a pretty straightforward request for information - but of course it is not - SHE - obviously can't say that she WANTS anything at all because it is not demure and modest to WANT - so of course she HAS to say that she wants NOTHING.

Of course, SHE is relying on HIM to realise that by saying that SHE wants NOTHING, SHE now DESERVES something, and something which shows that HE is aware of her quality in not WANTING anything, so naturally HE will be sensitive to every subtle nuance of HER behaviour which will indicate to HIM just what it is that HE ought to buy for HER.

By believing what SHE said and failing to realise the true situation HE betrays HER.

By buying himself something which SHE does not understand HIS need to own HE is undermining the fundamental basis upon which all marriage is founded, which all women understand but naturally are baffled by the inability of men to comprehend.

It is SO SIMPLE - HE has only to understand that what SHE says is not what SHE actually means, except for those times when what SHE does say exactly what SHE means.

IF only more men understood this simple concept there would be far fewer misunderstandings.