New Age Gentleman: Realize the real value of a compliment
There are times when you do all you can; you try to bend over backwards, you try to be as funny as you can, or you try to be dedicated. Still, no matter what you do there is always going to be people who don't like you. Dear readers, in my life I've done a lot of things, and some people who know me have expressed concern that I might do too much and others might try to take advantage of that. Well I've learned that no matter what you do for some people, the best thing you'll get is a slight nod of their heads or the stray hello when they're having a good day.
Don't bother with such people. You could push them out of the way of a speeding truck and I guarantee the best you'll get out of them is a mumbled thanks. It is unfortunate that such a thing has to happen and it's worse when you don't even know what it is that has ticked them off. Maybe it was an offhand comment or gesture, or maybe some small detail about you reminds them of someone they had a bad experience with. BAM! Instant judgment, instant label, instant everything.
Who knows how long this will go on for? It could last a few hours, a few days or even for as long as they know you. In answer to the concern that was expressed to me, the answer is, I don't really care that much.
Maybe I'm just an old softie, but when I'm having a real bad day and everything is going wrong I am very grateful for a kind word. I would gladly pass up the winning lottery ticket for one kind word or vote of confidence on the worst possible day of my life. One of those days happened not that long ago; I was feeling like nothing I did made a difference and there was no point in doing anything. Then two people in my program, whom I will always be grateful to know, seemed to clue in on this. One commented that my voice sounded different on the radio and that it sounded stronger and there was more confidence these days in it. Another friend echoed these sentiments exactly. There wasn't a hot drink, or ray of sunshine in the world that could match the good feeling I got at that particular time.
When things like that happen to me I feel the need to pass that feeling on. If someone else is having a real bad day I'll do what I can to make them smile, give them a compliment — anything to give them that extra push. Will people take advantage of me because of that? Hell yes, but when aren't you going to experience that in life? There are always going to be people trying to gain leverage in one way or another.
Take a chance and open up a bit. Otherwise, why go on in life if you're going to tiptoe and look in every shadow for every inch?
That is all I have to say about that.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Don't bother with such people. You could push them out of the way of a speeding truck and I guarantee the best you'll get out of them is a mumbled thanks. It is unfortunate that such a thing has to happen and it's worse when you don't even know what it is that has ticked them off. Maybe it was an offhand comment or gesture, or maybe some small detail about you reminds them of someone they had a bad experience with. BAM! Instant judgment, instant label, instant everything.
Who knows how long this will go on for? It could last a few hours, a few days or even for as long as they know you. In answer to the concern that was expressed to me, the answer is, I don't really care that much.
Maybe I'm just an old softie, but when I'm having a real bad day and everything is going wrong I am very grateful for a kind word. I would gladly pass up the winning lottery ticket for one kind word or vote of confidence on the worst possible day of my life. One of those days happened not that long ago; I was feeling like nothing I did made a difference and there was no point in doing anything. Then two people in my program, whom I will always be grateful to know, seemed to clue in on this. One commented that my voice sounded different on the radio and that it sounded stronger and there was more confidence these days in it. Another friend echoed these sentiments exactly. There wasn't a hot drink, or ray of sunshine in the world that could match the good feeling I got at that particular time.
When things like that happen to me I feel the need to pass that feeling on. If someone else is having a real bad day I'll do what I can to make them smile, give them a compliment — anything to give them that extra push. Will people take advantage of me because of that? Hell yes, but when aren't you going to experience that in life? There are always going to be people trying to gain leverage in one way or another.
Take a chance and open up a bit. Otherwise, why go on in life if you're going to tiptoe and look in every shadow for every inch?
That is all I have to say about that.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
