SHUT UP, PLEASE
Not sure since when my tolerance of LAME jokes has become ZERO. I remember I used to laugh at the lamest jokes ever told, even if the joke’s on me. Somehow, I’ve lost this ability kinda completely.
I also realised I’ve become rather blunt towards certain people these days. Is like I don’t want to but I have to kinda situation. Just say, have you met someone who will pick on you all the time because he/she thinks that’s funny and that you are nice to be picked on? Have you met anyone who would embarrassed you in front of other common friends by saying stupid things about you because he/she thinks that’s funny? Do you know someone who thinks he/she has got really funny bones but he/she hasn’t? Do you feel like stiching up his/her mouth whenever he/she gets started with his/her ‘funny’ comments about you? I can go on asking questions like these all night.. and yes, I’ve met such person and this person has completely driven me up the wall!!!
Now, have you met someone who likes to stick his/her ears out when you are having a rather private conversation with your friend? Private as in you lower down your voice and almost whisper the words. Another scenario, he/she would ask a serial of questions which makes you feel like a criminal being interrogated. You don’t want to answer but you don’t want to embarrass that person by ignoring him. Yes, I’ve met such person. Unfortunate?? Hell yeah!
Next, you are having a bad time at school or at work. You finally got the chance to rant it out to your friends. Just when you about to continue whinning or b******* about your bad day, you realised on the other side of the table someone has already begun with his/her very own version of TRAGEDY, which is a zillion times worse than yours. Instead of ranting, you end up consoling that ‘POOR’ soul. When he/she stops and you think you can continue to vent out your frustration, apparently, he/she has some other tragedies to talk about. Is like if you said you cut your finger such person would have thens said he/she lost his/her arms. This person is exactly the attention seeker you hate to have around when all you could use is a bit of attention and listening ears. Oh yes, I’ve met this person too.
And indeed, listening is after all a skill many haven’t possessed and yet think they already have. When you listen, make sure you really listen and not hearing!
I’ll just add good listening skill and know-when-to-shut-up to the list of ‘how to become a gentleman’.
November 17th, 2005 at 3:26 pm
hang in there adeline! had a colleague like that and found that it’s really unavoidable. have to remain upbeat and play the game, be cheeky and let them know you’re on top of things. as for eavesdropping, my former boss was like that. i just made sure i did not discuss any personal details and was safe enough. as for tragedies, i think everyone has their own story and i’ve realised now that it’s not even worth talking about with friends unless it’s something notable like bereavement, accident, etc. thank god if you need someone to hear you out, we can just blog it!