Bert and Ernie are roommates who have lived, and
bickered, at 123 Sesame Street since 1969

Ernie is goofy and Bert is irritable

Ernie constantly prods, pokes, teases and asks
dumb questions; he is the annoyer and Bert is
the annoyee

Bert acts as though he dislikes the annoyance,
but at some level he seems to take pleasure in it -
if not need it

annoyer and annoyee, The Burt and Ernie Syndrome

it's a kind of "functional dysfunctionality": a
relationship that at one level doesn't seem to be
working; one that seemingly can't last

and yet

- it has lasted

- for better or worse, it can continue to last

- and in some way, it works for both parties

does this kind of relationship seem familiar?