...But maybe it's fine the way it is.
When people want their voices heard, they speak louder. Have you ever stood in a crowded, loud room, and while everyone else is having a conversation with someone, you attempt to drown out the noise with your own voice? The first couple of tries, no one hears you, and so they go on talking, blissfully unaware that you had something to say. You try louder the next time, straining your vocal chords so much that it hurts your throat. But hey, that time, everyone hears you.
What does this say about the crowd? What does it say about you and your tenacious desire to be heard over the din? Could you have tried another way to reach the same audience?
Most of the time, yelling over the noise is simply obnoxious. This of course depends on what one wished to say. For example, it would not be obnoxious if the one shouting was trying to alert the gathering of a fire. On the contrary, I'm pretty sure everyone would be grateful for that set of strained vocal chords. But what about yelling over the "noise" in our current political setting?
If you have brothers and/or sisters, raise your hand. Do you remember the arguments you used to have with your sibling(s), and, at times, how out of hand they were? You'd try yelling, then the other(s) would sense your competitive spirit, and in retaliation they would yell louder. How close would that bring you to solving the issue at hand? My guess is not very.
Now, place a group of politicians trying to change the world on a stage, and you might as well have a mirror image of that same fight between the young siblings. Each of them has something to say these days, and each with a different, and louder, approach than before.
Well, to be completely honest, I'm beginning to tune them out. I just don't care anymore what any of them have to say. The yelling has morphed into white noise, and suddenly silence is more appealing than anyone's high-decible revolution.
If the end of the world is truly on its way, if global warming is going to kill us all in a matter of decades, and if all household germs really do carry the plague, then I guess I'd just rather go out with a bit of peace, concession, and quiet.
So, this election season, I choose to read a book in the mountains, far away from the polls and voting booths. The rest of the world can have its change. I'm happy with my life, just the way it is.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Social Etiquette
You can't please everyone all the time, but does it hurt to try?
No, I am not talking about brown-nosing the board members or agreeing to have "relations" with that creep you met at the bar simply because you'd feel badly for rejecting him. Have a little self-esteem, now, really. No, what I am trying to get at is something it seems people rarely discuss anymore in this modern world.
When I venture out into the world, I try to put on my "best face" - i.e., I am not the only person in the world, and therefore a certain amount of courtesy for my fellow man (or woman, duh) should naturally be exercised. Obviously I'm not always on target. Often times I find it difficult to be polite when someone is blatantly crossing the line of decency. But human nature aside, isn't it important to attempt good manners, especially in the face of rudeness?
I would wager it is very important. I am no wealthy aristocrat, and I certainly have never attended finishing school. I do not presume to know what I am talking about when it comes to having good manners. However, the fast-paced, convenient world of today (to me) seems starved of integrity, and it might not be such a crazy idea to take a few leaves (literally) out of Emily Post's book (as a side note, if you don't know who Ms. Post was, I'd recommend looking her up).
It may seem silly to reform our lives with such trivial things as chewing with the mouth closed or holding the door for an arthritic old woman. And in fact one could argue that etiquette differs from culture to culture, so why even bother when your manners are someone else's annoyance? Just throw caution to the wind and let that 90-year-old bat get the door herself! Every man for himself, right?
But... what if you were the 90-year-old? And, when having guests to dinner, isn't it more pleasant when the main noise at the table is conversation, not the smacking of mashed potatoes against someone's molars? Don't you find it nice when, cultural differences aside, someone takes the time to honor you with their good behavior (even if it's a different version than your's)?
So perhaps consider this: when you feel the urge to argue a ridiculous point (and you know it really doesn't matter), or when you would rather tell the clerk off for charging you extra on your purchase, or even when you think it's hilarious to share your bodily functions with the world... perhaps it just creates unnecessary conflict (not to mention it can be painfully embarrassing to observe someone acting out of line at a social function)... and perhaps you would also like others to behave more politely in your favor. Why not make an effort for them first?
Let's initiate the etiquette revolution. We all know how to say "please" and "thank you", and we generally like it when others say those two phrases to us; so for crying out loud, take a stride toward putting some finesse in your daily interactions!
Thank you for reading today's rant. I realize it may have come off as an arrogant statement from someone who really isn't qualified to tell others how to behave... but I meant it more as a plea for perhaps improving even just a small part of our quality of life.
No, I am not talking about brown-nosing the board members or agreeing to have "relations" with that creep you met at the bar simply because you'd feel badly for rejecting him. Have a little self-esteem, now, really. No, what I am trying to get at is something it seems people rarely discuss anymore in this modern world.
When I venture out into the world, I try to put on my "best face" - i.e., I am not the only person in the world, and therefore a certain amount of courtesy for my fellow man (or woman, duh) should naturally be exercised. Obviously I'm not always on target. Often times I find it difficult to be polite when someone is blatantly crossing the line of decency. But human nature aside, isn't it important to attempt good manners, especially in the face of rudeness?
I would wager it is very important. I am no wealthy aristocrat, and I certainly have never attended finishing school. I do not presume to know what I am talking about when it comes to having good manners. However, the fast-paced, convenient world of today (to me) seems starved of integrity, and it might not be such a crazy idea to take a few leaves (literally) out of Emily Post's book (as a side note, if you don't know who Ms. Post was, I'd recommend looking her up).
It may seem silly to reform our lives with such trivial things as chewing with the mouth closed or holding the door for an arthritic old woman. And in fact one could argue that etiquette differs from culture to culture, so why even bother when your manners are someone else's annoyance? Just throw caution to the wind and let that 90-year-old bat get the door herself! Every man for himself, right?
But... what if you were the 90-year-old? And, when having guests to dinner, isn't it more pleasant when the main noise at the table is conversation, not the smacking of mashed potatoes against someone's molars? Don't you find it nice when, cultural differences aside, someone takes the time to honor you with their good behavior (even if it's a different version than your's)?
So perhaps consider this: when you feel the urge to argue a ridiculous point (and you know it really doesn't matter), or when you would rather tell the clerk off for charging you extra on your purchase, or even when you think it's hilarious to share your bodily functions with the world... perhaps it just creates unnecessary conflict (not to mention it can be painfully embarrassing to observe someone acting out of line at a social function)... and perhaps you would also like others to behave more politely in your favor. Why not make an effort for them first?
Let's initiate the etiquette revolution. We all know how to say "please" and "thank you", and we generally like it when others say those two phrases to us; so for crying out loud, take a stride toward putting some finesse in your daily interactions!
Thank you for reading today's rant. I realize it may have come off as an arrogant statement from someone who really isn't qualified to tell others how to behave... but I meant it more as a plea for perhaps improving even just a small part of our quality of life.
Salutations
Hello, and welcome to the first post of my new online blog.
Some of what I say here may generate conflict, while other posts will just be for the creative hell-of-it. I shall try not to offend, but this does not mean I necessarily follow what's considered "P.C." in the modern world. Furthermore, my definition of "manners" and "etiquette" may be far different from your's. However, I would ask that you please respect my individuality and freedom of speech, as I will try my best to do the same for you.
Thank you once again, and happy reading.
Some of what I say here may generate conflict, while other posts will just be for the creative hell-of-it. I shall try not to offend, but this does not mean I necessarily follow what's considered "P.C." in the modern world. Furthermore, my definition of "manners" and "etiquette" may be far different from your's. However, I would ask that you please respect my individuality and freedom of speech, as I will try my best to do the same for you.
Thank you once again, and happy reading.
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