Having been told to 'Mind your own business', the natural response is likely towards adopting a 'Mind my own business' attitude. But if everybody were to mind their own businesses, then there will be no politicians, journalists and nosey parkers. Can you imagine, when friends meet, and they were told to mind their own business in discussions? How boring will that be!
I have learnt on many occasions, the lesson of not telling others what some people told you in private. But then again, how do we tell what is supposed to be private? Each of us has different level of sensitivity. What is sensitive to one might not be to another. Sometimes, having to think first before saying anything makes one hesitant in speech and appear even incoherent.
Last night, I attended a small gathering at a friend's home. Several times, what I told a friend's wife about his husband's views (gathered at our regular breakfast meetings), I was told by him not to 'cheen pohu' or 'leak the pot' literally but which means 'leak secrets'. Just imagine how difficult it was to carry out conversation, having to first screen your thoughts mentally as to what should or should not be said. It wouldn't be spontaneous for sure, and I would say, even untruthful. But sometimes, the truth may hurt some people and it is better not to be too honest about certain information. Discretion is the better part of valour?
Former classmates in school would be surprised at my change over the years: from a shy and quiet student in class to a talkative busy body, making comments all over the internet. Of course, I sensed some of my comments were unwelcome and were unpublished in some websites. But at least I get them off my chest and the administrators would have read before discarding them.
But one thing for sure, we should not just mind our own business when it comes to voting who should be running our country.
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I have learnt on many occasions, the lesson of not telling others what some people told you in private. But then again, how do we tell what is supposed to be private? Each of us has different level of sensitivity. What is sensitive to one might not be to another. Sometimes, having to think first before saying anything makes one hesitant in speech and appear even incoherent.
Last night, I attended a small gathering at a friend's home. Several times, what I told a friend's wife about his husband's views (gathered at our regular breakfast meetings), I was told by him not to 'cheen pohu' or 'leak the pot' literally but which means 'leak secrets'. Just imagine how difficult it was to carry out conversation, having to first screen your thoughts mentally as to what should or should not be said. It wouldn't be spontaneous for sure, and I would say, even untruthful. But sometimes, the truth may hurt some people and it is better not to be too honest about certain information. Discretion is the better part of valour?
Former classmates in school would be surprised at my change over the years: from a shy and quiet student in class to a talkative busy body, making comments all over the internet. Of course, I sensed some of my comments were unwelcome and were unpublished in some websites. But at least I get them off my chest and the administrators would have read before discarding them.
But one thing for sure, we should not just mind our own business when it comes to voting who should be running our country.
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