Why are we so quick to judge others? Could it be because we realize how close to home the behavior we are criticizing is, on some deeper level? Or do we do it to satisfy our ego’s need for superiority, (to mask the real suspicions of our inferiority?) I’m no psychologist, but our glee at pointing out others’ deficiencies never fails to amaze me.
In the hair salon today I overheard a couple of stylists lambast one of their colleagues for besmirching the sink area with some products she’d used. For several minutes they went back and forth looking at the so-called mess, condemning her vigorously (“Can you believe this girl? She is so dirty it’s unbelievable”) and proceeding on a tangent (“Who does she think she is? Are we her slaves to clean up after her?”); Oh
and her mother wasn’t left out (“What kind of training was she given at home?”).
Shortly after this tirade, the offending party walks in and I braced for a shouting match…but no. Not one of the accusers said a word to this lady. It took a third party to point out her disarray, and she was instantly apologetic. She quickly fixed things up and explained she’d left for the washroom in a hurry. I stole a glance at the two stylists, now in the throes of fixing my hair, with nary a word passing their lips. I couldn’t help it. I lifted my head and asked them loudly; “Did you hear what she said?”
They were rendered either mute or deaf. Or both. Lol.
"Did you hear what she said?' with no response shows they learned a lesson or more. Your slice sends a message to us all to learn to communicate our thoughts and feelings to others, rather than tittle-tattle. There is always a reason for our actions.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Why is it that others don't say a word when the person is in the room. Everyone hears...even you...
ReplyDeleteSo hurtful on so many levels. Thank you for observing and reminding. We need to be upstanders.