"Mutual understanding" , by Erik Pevernagie, oil on canvas, 100 x 100 cm

People can have a " mutual understanding " with some other people who have a feeling of being "special" .

'Special' like Chrissie Hynde in "Brass In Pocket" of The Pretenders (" I'm special, so special, I got to have some of your attention, give it to me").

There must be a common ability to sympathize feelings of each other. Those people must be out of the ordinary. They should be compatible, be a good match and supposed to be suit for companionship and fun in many diverse things.

"Mutual understanding" could mean a bonded relationship, sharing common values and interests, or be the result of it.

Mutual understanding becomes misunderstanding, when there are no longer commitments, no definite expectations, no responsibilities and no common objectives. Misunderstanding may end up in regret and cause pain and confusion. It can become a "heartache" like for Bonnie Tyler : " It's A Heartache " (It hits you when it's too late, It hits you when you are down)

W. H. Auden has not a rather pinky view on any human bonds, when he says that "Almost all of our relationships begin and most of them continue as forms of mutual exploitation, a mental or physical barter, to be terminated when one or both parties run out of goods."

Phenomenon: Mutual understanding

Factual starting point of the painting: two women on a line