2005-12-08 - 2:36 p.m.
"Silence is golden."
Well, I'm sure most of us are already familiar with that phrase. We know that it means (there are times when) it's best for us to keep our mouths shut. Talk less --- or no talk at all. Listen more. After all, it's just our civil way to respect others while they're talking to us. Don't we all want to be heard? That's normal.
Even when we feel like wanting to interrupt and share our thoughts to the other person, we must be careful. Does the other person easily feel intimidated by that? Do they even want to listen? Do they never want you to talk back? Do they believe that their wish is your command --- and you're expected to obey them all the time?
"Is silence still golden?
Should it be broken?"
But what happens when it gets too much? What will we do when it becomes imbalanced? It's like, we're expected only to listen and obey, but never being heard and --- worst of all --- understood. What if they're way too powerful and selfish to see that our opinions are also important?
And what if we silently feel that our rights have been rudely trampled on? Do we still want to keep quiet, eventhough it actually hurts?
"If silence is (still) golden, then talking is 24-carat gold."
If you know how to tackle this matter elegantly, then you won't end up being called just 'another big mouth'. Analyze the situations carefully. Choose your words wisely. If listening is a sign of respect for other people, then standing up for yourself is also one --- for you.
But if they still don't listen, then that means they don't deserve any respect. After all, we're (supposed to be) equal here as human beings.
The Author
