Sunday, November 09, 2008 Luab: Ms. Know-it-all By Evelyn R. Luab Light Sunday
Have you ever met somebody who dismisses everything you say, everything you question or everything that puzzles you with a remark, like “that’s really so simple!” Then she proceeds to give a dogmatic answer, a dogmatic solution, which doesn’t make sense at all?
Question: Here’s a buyer who wants to buy our land but wants us to overprice the value so that, according to him, he can help somebody else in his family. Isn’t that scary and wrong?
Answer (from Ms. Know-it-all): Who can prove that you didn’t receive the exact amount? All you do is ask the buyer to sign two pieces of paper. One stating the correct amount and the other, the jacked up price. It’s really that simple!
Questions still unanswered:
1. Do you think he would do that?
2. What happens to the broker’s license, if (the altered transaction) is caught?
3. Isn’t it possible that someone who already cheats at the very start of the transaction would continue cheating?
By the way, after she said “it’s that simple,” she broke off the connection.
Second example:
Question: What do I do with our 17-year-old dog? He can hardly move. He is not suffering, though, and we are giving him good food.
Ms. Know-it-all: She takes one look at him and says, “That’s a problem?” Have him put to sleep. It’s really that simple!
As I looked at our pet and remembered how we used to frolic with him, putting him to sleep was not an option. I expected suggestions on how to make his dog life easier, or perhaps a suggestion on what animal clinic would take care of him better than we could.
There really are people in our lives who believe that God, when making them to His image and likeness, gifted them with superior brains and everybody else are simpletons.
At one time we were at a machine shop and the mechanic wanted my driver to buy a new fan belt. My driver asked, “Asa man?” (Where?)
My driver meant which hardware was nearest.
The mechanic, without looking up, said: “Hardware!” As if my driver was 10 rungs below him in a ladder. So experiences like these happen everywhere.
Actually, when situations like these come from five- year-olds and four-year-olds, it can be very engaging and amusing. Take this scenario:
Mary (five years old): Where did you put my doll?
Kit (four years old): There!
Mary: Where? (anger already in her voice)
Kit: In the doll house, stupid! (consternation in his voice)
We all burst into laughter. Of course, we knew it was bad of us to encourage such behavior.
We also had to pacify Mary who burst into tears. Where did Kit get the word “stupid”? Probably from TV or from the grown-ups he comes in contact with.
Smart alecks abound everywhere. They cut you down to size, they dismiss every conversation with a frown or with a face that says: “Now what?”
I’ve met quite a number of people already who, because they feel intimidated or insecure, will take the high and mighty stance. Shrugs of the shoulders plus raised eyebrows are usually the signs before a cutting remark is given.
Recognize them and don’t react.
When you do come across these types, let them be. Just remember that you are not the problem. They are! If you are made to look stupid and you are not, then there really isn’t a problem on your part.
So if you meet anyone in your neighborhood who feels that he is a walking encyclopedia, just smile. It must be terribly lonely to be a heavy duty book!
