Do you frequently find yourself–just to be polite–saying things you don’t mean? For example, when you say good-bye to someone who does not interest you, do you act as though you enjoyed their company?
Of course I do. That’s because I’m not the only person in this world who has independent thoughts and feelings. Therefore, I have to have empathy when dealing with people around me. So, as not to hurt feelings, whether I’ve actually had a good time or not, I’m gonna do my best to leave things on a good note.
As an introvert, it sure would be easy to say, “Well, I’d have rather stayed in tonight and watching Jeopardy… Good night!” But that’s rude. And I’m not going to say something like that to someone I’ve chosen to spend time with.
The exception would be if it’s someone I know really well, who also knows me really well. Then I would be more likely to be honest if I wasn’t having a great time. I feel like we’re more likely to be willing to hurt the feelings of the people closest to us. Not that sharing my honest feelings about something would be done with the intent of hurting feelings. Sometimes empathy fails me…
I’m reminded of an episode of How I Met Your Mother. Lily (Alyson Hannigan) invites the gang out to see her in a play that someone she knows is putting on. It’s terrible. And when it’s all over, most of Lily’s friends give her compliments regarding the play. Except for Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), who flat out tells her it was awful. Of course, Lily takes offense to this. Clearly, Barney lacks empathy. But, Lily is a teacher, and she attempts to explain to Barney that, in polite society, even among friends, you try to build each other up, even if it’s a lie. Barney takes that as a challenge and, to prove a point, decides to put on his own terrible one man show, which he titles Suck It, Lily! He doesn’t even get to finish the show before Lily concedes that Barney has a point.
What about you? Are you more like Barney? Or do you hand out platitudes like the rest of Lily’s friends? Do you tell people things just to be polite? What kinds of things do you say that you know you don’t mean? Would you be willing to hurt someone’s feelings for the sake of honesty? Let me know down in the comments!
*The Question of the Week can be found in The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, Ph.D.
Ugh I often say and do things just to be polite. Like saying I had a great time or let’s do it again. Or like how some random old guy at my parents church decides to give me a hug and I don’t even know who he is and of course I’m not going to be like “um back it up there grandpa” to their new pastor 😂
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Pastor or not… personal space. Get outta my bubble!
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RIGHT?! And I had never met this man in my ENTIRE LIFE so yes obviously try to hug me. I yelled at my parents after and told them they best talk to him
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I will always give people a chance. I’m nice, respectful and I encourage. But if the person I’m speaking to turns out to be a jerk all bets are off and I become Barney. Funny you should mention this. I’m in a situation now where the Barney in me has come out. It can be a lot of fun when the person deserves it. 🙂
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I grew up singing in a church choir where everyone was welcome to sing solos at every spring and Christmas concert, whether they could carry a tune or not. I learned to get creative with compliments on my youth.
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My husband gets upset with me when I don’t return pleasantries with other people like asking how they’re doing. I don’t ask people that question because to be honest, I don’t really care, so why ask? Is that rude? I don’t think so.
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I think I can see how it could be perceived as rude. However, I tend to do the same thing. I feel like it would be more rude to ask how someone is doing then tune out their response because I don’t actually care. If they don’t give a programmed response of “good” or “okay” or “fine” then I’m probably checked out of the conversation.
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Exactly! Maybe I’ve just encountered too many people who find my polite ‘How are you?’ as an invitation to share their life story and I really could care less if I don’t know them.
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