11 October 2010

Foot-in-mouth disease

By Atiya Abbas
I have had a lot of trouble thinking about what to write this week. I have noticed that everyone writes about what they feel strongly about, and most importantly, what they know; which is the rule numero uno about writing. In these two years at Karachi University, I have found out that I suffer from an ailment known as foot-in-mouth disease. This disease has only one symptom: a divorce of the mind and the mouth.
 Yes, I can see you smiling tolerantly. Let me elaborate. In this techno-driven age we want to say anything because we feel so powerful behind our computer screens to diss, appreciate, slag off, what have you, to our friends and our “not-so-close” friends. The “Like” button on Facebook under every single thing allows those to side with people who expressed what they wanted to say but didn’t actually have the guts to say it. This attitude has manifested itself in our everyday conversations when those whom you don’t know that well come up and say whatever they want to.

I am one of these people as well. And throughout my life I’ve had many opportunities when circumstances conked me on the head and Heaven cried, “Please, shut up!” For example, before my International Relations paper last semester, I was right outside the exam room, mouthing off about how easy it will be to pass the exam and to just write what the “holier-than-thou” teacher espoused. All in a very obnoxious tone. And then Tooba, my class fellow went, “He’s right behind you!” Oh, and did I mention that he remembered me because of my reading habits? In that one second of loud-mouthed obnoxiousness, I ruined the sliver of a rapport I made over the few classes we had. After the exam I went and apologized, foot in mouth (metaphorically).
So moral of the day: Keep any diabolical thoughts to yourself. This wisdom has been handed down from the ages but it is quiet hard to follow. Perception overrules reality, homies, remember that.

6 comments:

  1. Think before you speak !!!
    TOOBA ALTAF

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't know what makes people comment on the posts... this one deserves at least one acknowledgment from every follower...

    yet again, short and precise, SUPER! :D

    ReplyDelete