The shut down

13. The shut down

The shut down works like this. Waffle, waffle, and more trite waffle. This little person dominates the conversation, trampling on everyone that tries to have some say. They say yes. And that is it to whatever you say. Yes, followed by a question. The question will be unrelated to what you were talking about. The question may be directed to another person. Asking a question is usually a good sign, but in the shut down, it is a source of irritation. Whoever the question was directed to does not get a chance to respond. Within a few seconds the little person then speaks again and dominates once more. Is there a counter to this? The best counter is to eradicate them from your life. Alternatively, let them know that they are being very rude. Or raise your voice and return to the subject you were shut down from speaking further about. The shut down doesn’t seem rude, but it is extremely rude. It is clever and has a diplomatic overtone, but in truth it is very rude.

We need to eat. Most of what we eat is not absorbed, it comes out the other end. Most of what we say does not get absorbed by those we are talking to. Only a little gets absorbed. You can take two things from that. Most of what you say is superfluous and unnecessary. Talking is like eating though, it is like exercise, it is what humans need to do to stay healthy.