leave a crack in the door

Face. Some cultures put more emphasis on face than others. I think it's important to learn about face, so you can do an about face, if you get into someone's face and realize that you're beginning to annoy them. We're animals and we really don't like to be cornered. A wise person realizes this and they will leave a crack in the door, so the person they are putting in the corner can exit and save some face. Checkmate. Holy shit, there's no escape. I don't like chess because of that reason. But I don't like ties either, especially in boxing. I do like overtime and sudden death. And, this may seem weird, I don't mind it when someone throws in the towel. It's the white flag of battle. It almost seems noble. No mas. Anybody remember that fight?  It wasn't what it was cut out to be. Benny Kid Paret's corner should have had that no mas sense and stop the fight, but that was not meant to be. You're a chicken. Yes you! You're a pussy too. I dare you to....     And yet, there is an escape, punch your friend in the face instead. But violence begets violence. And of course you just can't walk away because your friend will do the punching while you're walking away. So, you have to stay and talk away. And if nothing gets resolved you get to live for another day. It's not a tie mind you, it's overtime. And there will ultimately be winners and losers with face. And a beautiful face at that if you look well enough.