A Passing Thought for the New Year. . .

Let’s say “No, thanks” in 2022 to the hair trigger mentality that seems to have taken over broad swaths of society any time there is an imagined or perceived slight of some kind. Meeting ugly belligerence with our own brand of belligerence solves nothing and, at best, creates additional problems.

Sadly, life ain't like a James Bond movie most of the time. Walking away from a possible confrontation with our dignity, front teeth, and eye glasses intact is far preferable to taking on someone built like Odd Job or Robert Shaw in a train compartment during the overnight journey to Dubrovnik. Or some buttinski we don't know from Adam filming the heated exchange with an iPhone to return to 2022 for a moment.

Here’s a related hint. Besides obstreperous strangers, we might also need to walk away from extended family members and so called “friends” who do nothing but drag us down, expose us to unpleasant interactions, and even dangerous situations. In short, we must learn and know when to walk away from toxic people, situations, and keep them at arm's length.

It is sometimes just easier to pick up our things, move elsewhere, and resolve never again to put ourselves in a similar situation. A lot of people in 2022, for whatever reason, are beyond all reason and seem immune to tact. They neither take subtle hints, nor respond well to polite direct requests to cease and desist with X, Y, Z, or whatever else the offending behavior might be.

And when such instances arise, it is better to keep our own blood pressure under control, refuse to take the bait, change our venue -- or cut 'em loose as the case may be -- and let it go.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

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