Posted by Cass on October 13, 2000, at 18:27:18
In reply to Re: Friends and Differences, posted by Nibor on October 13, 2000, at 13:14:26
I think one of the big issues in our society today is the issue of confidence. People like to act confident that they know things, and sometimes I think it's arrogance or even worse. I was at the beach recently, and a woman called the police because another woman had physically hit her. The woman who struck the lady looked to be in her 50s, she was very well-groomed, she was well-dressed. A lady nearby me said to me, "She didn't mean to hurt her. She's not that type." I said, "Oh, do you know her?" She looked irritated, and said "Well, no dear." I said, "How do you know?" She responded, "Well, look at her, dear." Then she started leering at me as if I had just landed from Planet LaLa. She stared from a long time. I think she was trying to intimidate me. There seemed to be a lot of hostility in the crowd against the woman who had called the police. I thought to myself that this whole scene would be very different if the person who had hit the lady had been a poor minority. They probably would have projected violent intentions onto him/her. Everyone was so confident in their opinion that the woman who hit the other woman had done nothing wrong, even though they had no way of knowing if her intentions were hostile or malicious. I think people should question themselves more, by asking themselves why they believe what they believe. People are confident in their stereotypes which basically means they are ignorant. Their confidence is really arrogance.
I think often times I'm really cautious about drawing conclusions because I think it's best to reserve judgment and keep and open mind. I believe in the value of truth. "Confidence," so to speak, gets in the way of that. As a result, people have often thought I am stupid. It's a shadow that hangs over me.
I believe that anything is possible. I like to keep my eyes open to truth because I think it keeps me closer to god. "The truth shall set you free." I have all kinds of problems, but this is not one of them. I wish the rest of the world had some way of knowing this. I could not conform to their standards and still be able to live with myself.
Also, I think people are becoming more and more rude lately. I was recently at a pharmacy waiting in line with a friend and talking. I became aware than a woman behind us was eavesdropping. I gave her a look, but she stood there tranfixed as if she had been hypnotized. I continued my conversation. Finally, she blurted out her opinion which was in disagreement with mine. I said, "You know, this is none of your business." My words had no effect on her. What an ego, I thought. She is standing there waiting for her prescription, and she becomes convinced that she has the right to become a part of two strangers conversations. I mean, if she had something nice to say, that wouldn't have been so bad, at least. Anyway, she reminded me of one of those "confident" people who don't realize that this so-called confidence is destructive. Is humility such a bad thing? Are good manners something to be set aside in the name of confidence?
Just needed to vent a little more. Thanks to all who have responded. I appreciate the advice!
poster:Cass
thread:1011
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001011/msgs/1035.html