Column: People should say what they mean, mean what they say
Published Aug. 27, 2010
When asked what supernatural power they would like to possess, most people's response includes something like time travel, invisibility, strength or levitation. Those abilities would be super awesome to have, but I would like to possess x-ray hearing. No, not x-ray vision. X-ray hearing. If I could hear through the jabber people say and understand what they really mean, life would be a little more smooth sailing. Being able to accurately determine if someone is telling me the truth or just what I want to hear would save me a lot of time and disappointment.
Words and their usage hold incredible power. We've learned how to manipulate them, take advantage of them and cheapen them. Flowery yet insincere apologies mislead already wounded people. Empty promises spill out of shallow mouths. Flattery dishonestly builds trust then burns it to the ground. Some use words to create false personas and deceive those close to them.
I admit I'm a pretty trusting, and sometimes naïve, person. That often leads to trouble. I'd prefer people just not feed me word bologna, but unfortunately that's not how things happen. Having an inborn bull hockey detector would be a lifesaver in many circumstances.
For instance, if a salesperson at a mall kiosk walked up to me and said, "Hey, I noticed your hair is a little frizzy. Can I show you a cheap, quick way to fix that?" I would know if what they really meant was "Daaaaang, gurrrl! Your hair is beyond repair. I work on commission, though, so I'm going to take 45 minutes of your time to convince you that you need this $75 product."
Or if someone told me he needed cash because he lost his job and his house burned down, I would be able to tell if the tragic story was legit or if he was pathetically panhandling me for booze money. When a guy tells me he thinks I am beautiful and he cares, I would know if he is sincere or if he is using the same lines he uses on every other female he sees. During political campaigns, I could call out sneaky candidates who play on voters' emotions and are motivated solely by self-gratification.
Sure, liars and con artists have always gone around deceiving and taking advantage of people, but their numbers have been multiplying. Once upon a time people were, for the most part, true to their word because their words actually meant something. "I love you" wasn't thrown around like candy in a parade. "I'm sorry" meant sincerely feeling sorrow. In business deals, guaranteed services were rendered and the rightful amount paid. Words were more than letters lumped together to form coherent sounds. Sadly, those days joined those of crusades, barn raisings and VCRs.
Confusing legalities, umpteen-page contracts, increased leeriness and decreased trust have been necessitated because spoken words, promises and a firm handshake no longer cut it. It sure is a shame, especially for the people who back their words with sincerity. It'd be great if all humanity could live by the mantra, "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. I'm faithful 100 percent." (Yes, that's a reference to "Horton Hears a Who." There's no denying Dr. Seuss was a genius.)
When the power of words is used selfishly, things fall apart. The power of honest and sincere words should not be underestimated. I salute those whose words are true. They make the world a happier place. For those who aren't, beware. I'm working on my x-ray hearing skills. Someday I'll join the ranks of accomplished bull hockey detectors.