It’s sad that my automatic response to someone promising me something is disbelief. Honestly, I’m one of those who believes in the goodness of my fellow man, but reality has slapped, kicked and beaten that ideal out of me at almost every turn. I’m not even talking about big stuff like lending money or wedding dates. It’s the little things that are constantly promised yet so rarely kept. Let’s get together this weekend or I’ll give you a call or some other inane crap…. why do people even make promises they never intend to keep? I understand "white lies" in order to keep things even keel, but after a while your word becomes worthless because it can never be counted upon. Call me old fashion, but I value my word. When I tell someone I’ll do something for them, damn straight I’ll do it. Of course, I’m a rarity in that regard and so is my girl who subscribes to the same belief.
With that being said, I recently encountered someone who was completely good on her word. Not only that, but she was a student of "under promise, over deliver". To say I was floored by her actions is an understatement. It got me thinking about promises and people’s words. Why happened culturally that our promises are now pointless? Businesses doing whatever is necessary to stay afloat is a principle of capitalism and I’m ok with that, but it’s the everyday people whose words now fall on deaf ears that bother me the most. It used to be that a man’s word was his bond, which could be counted on to settle a debt or accomplish a task. People cut from that cloth are hard to find in modern society. It could be a side effect of personal accountability going out the window or with folks living in larger cities, it’ll be unlikely you ever bump into the person you lied to again.
Often I wonder why I have so few people in my life I consider true friends and then I realize it’s because these folks actually keep their word. With all the places I’ve lived in (4 states, 2 countries) good people are still hard to find. All in all I’m glad someone popped up to shatter my preconceptions, otherwise I’d continue with my cynical, slightly bitter outlook of the world.
This post was brought to you by rum =) What things are shattering your cynical viewpoint these days? I’d like to hope we’re not ALL hopelessly bitter…
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
All joking aside on this, I really do understand and completely agree with your view and point. It is so hard now a days to find people who speak with believability rather than just blowing shit out of there mouth. I am so sick and tired (to say the least) with people saying stuff just to say it and hear there own voice. When I say something I am saying it because I mean it. I don’t understand what brings people to speaking words and not pulling through with them.
It has been nice to finally find someone who is doing the things that they say rather than just talking shit and saying them. At least we can “say” there has been one
This was responded to you by Hangar One vodka. Gotta love it!!
Japanese culture (at least where I live–old town) is very “under promise over deliver”. Or “no promise at all and over deliver”. It’s very reassuring to be able to depend on someone’s word. And it has made me try very hard to always keep my word. That trust gained is very valuable to all involved.