On Apologies
One of the beefs I have with a lot of people is that they are immune to the ideology that they could possibly be incorrect about something. People unfortunately go into a discussion, a discourse, an argument, with very set notions on whatever the issue is. Casually, or formally, for one to admit they're wrong in something, or that the other point could possibly possess an ounce of validity, is a very rare characteristic exhibited by far too few people in this world.
While I'd like to think that this quality is something that dies down as one gets older, matures, learns better how to interact with other people and their opinions, it's fairly evident by many of the older uncles and aunties we got running around in our communities that its a very stubborn, bull-headed attitude for very stubborn, bull-headed people.
The inabiity to apologize, and the tendency to be stubborn are qualities that go hand in hand, but neither is a positive trait to possess. America admires Bush for his unwavering, iron-clad attitude to not change, to "pursue evil wherever it hides" or something jazzy sounding like that. I hate how people think you can split everything up into good and bad or black and white, there are too many shades of gray in the middle. This isn't Star Wars that we're living in (though that is one of the drawing factors of Star Wars, that there is a clearly defined line between good and evil), but thats a rant for another day I guess. The fact of the matter is is that if you're stubborn, you should be willing to change. People always say marriage is a series of compromises, so I wonder what Bush's marriage life is like...
Regardless, I'm not trying to say that one shouldn't have faith in whatever they're talking to someone about. But there is no point to educated discourse, if thats what your goal is, if you don't approach an issue, any issue, with a willing-ness to listen. Now some may define a willingness to listen as being so incredibly gracious as to allow the other person to speak, but there's more to it. You can't go into an argument always thinking you're right, there has to be a fine line between conviction in what you think is right, and allowing for room for other viewpoints. Some may think that this is a dangerous outlook to hold, especially when it comes to certain supposedly cut and dry issues, like things with religion, but for that I really don't have an answer. It differs from individual to individual I'd have to say, as everything else pretty much does (Yeah I know I'm taking the easy way out on this one).
Back to what I was saying originally, I think we'd be a lot better off in life if people were more willing to apologize. As men we're taught to be unwavering, to be tough, rough, unapologetic, and not ask for directions along the way. That's really a chauvanistic approach, and one that I hope'll change with time. Though... expecting the entire makeup of the male psyche to change? Just may be asking a bit too much. It's not an exclusive thing to men though, it's just I have a lot more experience with unapologetic, always thinking they're right males then I do with the opposite. Can't really think of any good song lyrics that sum up how I feel about it... Must be finals taking a toll. Yeah right, as if these introductory business classes are really giving me that much stress. I can't even think of a good final smart-ass sentence to end on. Just go out and apologize more for things you even have the remotest doubt that you may have done wrong, people may actually think you care.
While I'd like to think that this quality is something that dies down as one gets older, matures, learns better how to interact with other people and their opinions, it's fairly evident by many of the older uncles and aunties we got running around in our communities that its a very stubborn, bull-headed attitude for very stubborn, bull-headed people.
The inabiity to apologize, and the tendency to be stubborn are qualities that go hand in hand, but neither is a positive trait to possess. America admires Bush for his unwavering, iron-clad attitude to not change, to "pursue evil wherever it hides" or something jazzy sounding like that. I hate how people think you can split everything up into good and bad or black and white, there are too many shades of gray in the middle. This isn't Star Wars that we're living in (though that is one of the drawing factors of Star Wars, that there is a clearly defined line between good and evil), but thats a rant for another day I guess. The fact of the matter is is that if you're stubborn, you should be willing to change. People always say marriage is a series of compromises, so I wonder what Bush's marriage life is like...
Regardless, I'm not trying to say that one shouldn't have faith in whatever they're talking to someone about. But there is no point to educated discourse, if thats what your goal is, if you don't approach an issue, any issue, with a willing-ness to listen. Now some may define a willingness to listen as being so incredibly gracious as to allow the other person to speak, but there's more to it. You can't go into an argument always thinking you're right, there has to be a fine line between conviction in what you think is right, and allowing for room for other viewpoints. Some may think that this is a dangerous outlook to hold, especially when it comes to certain supposedly cut and dry issues, like things with religion, but for that I really don't have an answer. It differs from individual to individual I'd have to say, as everything else pretty much does (Yeah I know I'm taking the easy way out on this one).
Back to what I was saying originally, I think we'd be a lot better off in life if people were more willing to apologize. As men we're taught to be unwavering, to be tough, rough, unapologetic, and not ask for directions along the way. That's really a chauvanistic approach, and one that I hope'll change with time. Though... expecting the entire makeup of the male psyche to change? Just may be asking a bit too much. It's not an exclusive thing to men though, it's just I have a lot more experience with unapologetic, always thinking they're right males then I do with the opposite. Can't really think of any good song lyrics that sum up how I feel about it... Must be finals taking a toll. Yeah right, as if these introductory business classes are really giving me that much stress. I can't even think of a good final smart-ass sentence to end on. Just go out and apologize more for things you even have the remotest doubt that you may have done wrong, people may actually think you care.
posted by Tosif at
10:37 PM
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