>>>Wouldn't that be a typical "deadlock" situation, using computer terms? I mean, if each one waits for the other one to take the first step...
>>
>>Yes, I guess it is. Do you know solution for a deadlock? <g>
>
>Humm, in computer science, a deadlock occurs when each of two processes wait for the other one to release some resource. Perhaps that is where the analogy ends... Or perhaps it doesn't.
>
>One solution (in computer science) seems to be to always lock resources in a specified order, and to unlock them in the reverse order. Note that in many systems, once a deadlock occurs not much can be done; the solution is to avoid the deadlock in the first place. "Nevertheless, since there is no general solution for deadlock prevention, each type of deadlock must be anticipated and specially prevented." (Wikipedia)
>
>For human relations, well, the solution would be NOT to wait the other side to take the first step. Waiting is precisely the cause of the deadlock. If the other side doesn't want to be reasonable, well, there is not much you can do, but at some moment you must try.

Quite an insight. Kudos to you Hilmar!