So, those of you who know me well know that I can be really, really REALLY politically incorrect and blunt. I use a lot of words that make people uncomfortable–and that is fine with me because we need to be constantly challenging ourselves and our viewpoints–especially because our language is evolving and changing every day. And to do something just for the sake of language is a perfectly fine reason in my book. So, if you really need something to motivate you to challenge yourself, if for no other reason, do it for the love of our evolving language or some other equally valid reason. Whatever gets you through the night, right?!
Anyhow, one of the views that I’ve come up against lately is the idea that we should always be polite, as our default setting, even in the face of casual rudeness. And I have, mostly–to a fault. And while it has certainly helped me get through life smoothly–I wonder if I would have been happier had I put aside the polite and just got entirely, nakedly real?
I get it, you DO catch more flies with honey than vinegar–but maybe we should reevaluate catching flies altogether. Maybe those flies are better off free, flying far, far away? And maybe our efforts are better applied to the delicate art of improving ourselves and putting aside the opinions of others?
It’s hard, being female and from ND. People up here are hella polite–so polite that when they throw shade, no one but the thrower really notices. Oh, and the people that they brag to later–you know what I mean–that whole post-mortem that “confrontations” go through, where the speaker tells the tale of speaking up for him/herself, portraying him/herself as a little tougher than s/he really is and was. Yeah, like that. Like breaking out of that “pleasing” shell occasionally is a little naughty, just a little verboten. And a lot empowering, which is probably why it’s been trained out of us (ladies mostly). So, where does that leave us? Hopefully, a little stronger and a little more self aware. Oh, and a little more confrontational when necessary. And maybe a little pushy too–but just a little, on occasion. This is ND after all.
ealvfargond 