Yes, It's Worth It!

"Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else have your way": Daniele Vare.

My attempts at digesting and churning the information I receive every day have made me a rather 'great thinker' (quoting the term used by a classmate of mine in 1982). I breath in deeply and I chew my food intently..... and I am never free from making mistakes.

"Please make as many mistakes now!...." is a phrase I keep using in order to make my present form 5 students feel more at ease during my lessons. I despise the unnecessary 'peaceful' atmosphere in the class, when every student is afraid of asking, though they are very much tempted to pose one or two questions....sad....especially if they have been trained to shut their mouths (as this is deemed to be the best and most acceptable manners).

Correct me if I am wrong, but I must say that children are able to point out our mistakes (and shame us at the same time, because of their frankness). It is a wonder how my dad had allowed me to be frank with him despite his stern and conventional way of bringing up his children. Perhaps he wanted me to be able to speak my mind, ..... perhaps so.

Through years of trial and error, I can deduce that by putting in efforts to make your opinions sound less threatening, people can accept you with open arms. Get the message across but save the sword that might hurt them. Diplomacy does not kill!