Double Standards

Let A and B are in a married/romantic/living together relationship. A falls sick just before B is about to make a trip. The following matrix shows all possibilities.

A -->	Mildly sick	Average sick	Needs immediate attention
B |    V
Travel of low importance	Whether B cancels or not is immaterial	B canceling is better	B should cancel
Travel of medium importance	B going is better	“Double Standards”	B canceling is better
Travel of high importance	B should go	B should go by making alternate arrangements	If B can make sufficient alternate arrangements, then going is an option else canceling is inevitable.

This post is concerned with the box “Double Standards” from the above matrix. What I have usually noticed (Me included) is that, if I am in A's position, I would want B to go (by assuring I will be taking care of myself) and if I am in B's position, I want to stay back ( by saying the travel is of not so high importance ) and that is the “Double standards” I am talking about. Why do we have it after all? This is where guilt comes into the picture

Position	Action	Consequence
If I am A	Letting B stay	I get care but also I have to carry guilt
	Letting B go	I don't get care but no guilt either

Position	Action	Consequence
If I am B	By going	Work gets done but guilt comes along
	By canceling	Work is pending but no guilt

If guilt is so bad that I try to avoid by having double standards, why deny that to the other person? It's the selfishness to have high behavioral stand point. Having a single standard takes away my opportunity to take that high stand point. What would the results be if I had a single standard?

Ideology	Position	Action
If I felt work is more important	If I am A	Would let B go
	If I am B	Would go

Ideology	Position	Action
If I felt medical care is more important than work	If I am A	Would ask B to cancel
	If I am B	Would cancel

Once I did try to practice single standard and faced the most unexpected, hypocritical response. I was in B's position and A asked me to go and I did plan to go only to hear that I have the audacity to leave the sick person and travel on work. So my work remained pending and also was guilt trapped for even trying to travel on work.

How many standards did A have? 

Not wanting me to go but asking me go and then getting pissed when I was ready to go. Triple standards I suppose ;-)