Journal Entry 18 - Let's Talk

            Sometimes, when people talk about a subject, some usually speak their thoughts or feelings directly; some often talk around the subject to cover their real meaning. For instance, I heard a conversation near my house a few days ago. A boy accidently broke an expensive vase and fell down on the street because he ran too fast, when his mother helps him get up, there are two possibilities that his mother will react. First, “Why did you run so fast on the street? Didn’t I tell you that you should not be running on the street? Why are you so stupid? Do you know how much that vase cost? You costs me too much troubles” The first possibility shows that his mother is eager to teach him the right behavior and prevent him from doing it again. Second, “Are you alright? Remember, I told you it is very dangerous for running on the street? Be careful next time ok?”            

So, the second version is what the boy’s mother actually told him. However, I did hear the first version before. It only makes the boy cries louder. Nevertheless, I believe that mother in both versions does care about that expensive vase, because she eventually needs to pay for its owner. Yet, the first version not only did not solve the issue, but also makes the problem expand. If the mother chooses the second version, the boy probably will remember this lesson and apologize to his mother.