However, unlike the little guy who shouted out, “The king isn’t wearing any clothes!” and TRUST ME ON THIS, sometimes it is just better to keep quiet.
I know not everyone will agree with me on this,
But it is necessary if you are new to a situation.
Often times someone is allowed to carry on their behavior with the understanding that it is tolerable because of who they are. I am in a weekly situation that many people find offensive but to bring it to the person’s attention will not change it and might bring about a major emotional crisis that could be devastating. The person is in their 80’s, has been a volunteer for many years and has a home bound spouse that he takes care of. This is his only outlet to serve in an important capacity outside the home and so his behavior is endured by the staff – we work around it.
I would agree in other situations where someone’s behavior has a major impact on the environment, then, to keep quiet might not be in the interest of all concerned. But and I say this with a big “CAUTION” for your own good. Search out the reasons for everyone’s lack of movement in the circumstance before commenting on it. I remember being in another situation where an administrator’s caustic behavior was being tolerated and I recall thinking, why would anyone put up with this bully. I was new on the job, just a few weeks. I wasn’t privy to the fact that he had recently been under treatment for a brain tumor and the radiation along with chemotherapy had radically changed his behavior.
I’m just saying weigh the situation and its consequences carefully before stating an opinion on the circumstances. You have not walked a mile in another person’s moccasins and until you do don’t make emotionally charged decisions to alter a situation without the facts. The tongue is a mighty weapon and in the hands of the wrong information it can change your circumstances for the worst in many instances.
By Sandra Miskie - Better known as Grandma Geezer Ph.D
