Over the years, my father developed an auto-response in many situations and would say “yes dear” quite often. But NOT as a subservient, exactly. It was more to MOCK my mom. He would overly agree with her – even when he disagreed – to establish an understanding that he had to do this to avoid further discussion. She would say:

“You know if we (meaning “he”) don’t cut that tree down, lightning might strike it one day and it will come crashing down on the roof!!”.

Then he would theatrically and sarcastically say:

“OH YEAH…. SURE ….. YES DEAR… IF YOU SAY SO….. WILL GET RIGHT ON THAT. IS THERE ANY OTHER TRAGEDY YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT I SHOULD JUMP TO AVOID???”.

(mocking her highness)

He would play right into her faux-superiority complex, as if she was all-knowing, super-human, supremely intuitive, and could even predict the future….. and then he would over-exaggerate it. Bill Maher also calls this “making women nod”.

When in actuality, it took me 2 days to teach my mother the concept of “files” and “folders” on a computer. Not kidding. She sees all in everything and everyone else, except her own flaws and shortcomings – criticizing everyone but herself.

PistolPete wrote: I wonder if there is some way we as men can harness this irrationality to our advantage.

“Agree and amplify”.

Then ignore.