I'm always interested in my response to confrontation. It's a challenge sometimes to keep my own issues with confrontation out of the way of an interaction. More important, I think, is to realize that when someone is acting out their own issues, I need to keep my head and keep my issues out of the mix. Way too complicated for both of us to be working on life lessons - especially, when what is being discussed is a problem or topic that needs to be worked on on it's own merits.

A very helpful quote for times like this is:

"Whenever there is attachment in my mind
And whenever there is the desire to be angry,
I should not do anything nor say anything,
But remain like a piece of wood.

"Whenever I have distracted thoughts, the wish to verbally belittle others,
Feelings of self-importance and self-satisfaction;
When I have the intention to describe the faults of others,
Pretension and the thoughts to deceive others;

"Whenever I am eager for praise
Or have the desire to blame others;
Whenever I have the wish to speak harshly and cause dispute;
At (all) such times I should remain like a piece of wood.

"Whenever I desire material gain, honor, or fame;
Whenever I seek attendants or a circle of friends,
And when in my mind I wish to be served;
At (all) these times I should remain like a piece of wood.

"Whenever I have the wish to decrease or to stop working for others
And the desire to pursue my welfare alone...

"Whenever I have impatience, laziness, cowardice,
Shamelessness or the desire to talk nonsense;
If thoughts of partiality arise,
At these times too I should remain like a piece of wood."

Shantideva, A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, trans, by Stephen Batchelor