I love the way that a headline can make an expert out of anybody.
Have you ever noticed this? The common wisdom has always been to avoid saying three little words: “I don’t know.” People will often twist themselves into pretzels before making this admission. It really is remarkable.
When someone who has never executed a stock trade begins to explain to me why credit default swaps are bad, I know that he’s just parroting what has been seen or heard on the news.
Some say that the newly enacted health care reform legislation is unconstitutional. How did you come to that conclusion? By the way, when was the last time you read The Constitution?
Have you ever listened to a group of men talking about what they know about women? Ladies, please, back me up here. The truth is: what men actually know about women can fit on a napkin.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions, of course. I would never argue against that. Only, it should be noted that, having an opinion is not the same as knowing what you’re talking about. These two concepts are often confused.
I have no problem saying, “I don’t know.”
Why is anyone still listening to anything that Sarah Palin has to say?
I don’t know?
Is the Tea Party for real, or is America just being Punked?
I don’t know?
What is the location of the secret vault in Kenya that contains Obama’s real birth certificate?
I don’t know?
Honey, do I look fat in this dress?
Of course not, dear.
Author Bio:
Ray Colon has written 136 posts on Ray's Blog.
He works with numbers for a living, but don't judge - boring accountants need love too. His blog has no niche (unless writing about things that are important to him is a niche). Some folks cringe when he gets “all political” on them, but he does it anyway when he's in that kind of mood. Sometimes, he writes something nice about someone, but you shouldn't get used to that. His first book, the one he hasn't written yet, is not available on Amazon. Subscribe to Ray's Blog via RSS or Email.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh I don’t know, Ray, I have no problem admitting I don’t know something! I also have no problem pretending to know a lot about other things. It depends on who’s asking and what they are asking about.
Hey Tristan,
I suppose that “who’s asking” can be an important factor to consider. An example of when “I don’t know” can work against you is if the person that you are speaking with (usually your boss) expects that you should know. That’s when diversionary fast-talking should begin.
Ray
Good point! LOL!
Hey Raymundo
t\The shaving and the boating story made me laugh, but at the same time I have felt like and idiot sometimes with the obvious. At least I know I have company, thanks for your honesty.
Hola Maria,
Glad that you liked them. I still laugh about the stories from the other post myself. It’s a good thing that we can recover from “feeling like an idiot,” and that we don’t have to carry that feeling with us forever. You do have company, because there are many more stories that end in the same way for me.
Ray