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Robin Roe / A List of Cages

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Why is the term ‘gender roles’ still in our vocabulary?

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Ugh paper due! Anxiety knocks on the door like “hey girl, I see you have something important going on so naturally, I show up for the party!”

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Silence speaks volumes

Politeness is often overstated. Recall the times you have flashed a smile at someone and asked, “how are you,” while walking past them. Did you even hear their response? Reflect on how many compliments you give someone, even strangers, just to be polite. How many of those compliments did you mean? “Silence is better than unmeaning words.” If too often we speak unmeaning words, we risk not being heard when they do. Others will stop listening and our voice will fall silent. A simple smile or wave as you notice someone is polite enough, to add a polite but insincere gesture otherwise takes away from your intention.

What does “Silence is better than unmeaning words” mean? Does this mean silence is bliss? Do we need to mean everything we say? Or is it rather, say what you mean, and mean what you say? Should every word we speak or write have meaning, and to whom? This quote doesn’t have just one interpretation. However, it reads to me that our words are important and that we should mean what we say. If we do not mean what we say, that is worse than saying nothing at all. Then again, isn’t it rude not to speak to someone or hold a conversation as opposed to allowing an awkward silence? There are many times we are all guilty of using unmeaning words rather than remaining silent. This quote imposes the question, why speak if your words hold no meaning, what is the point? How we engage in conversation reveals a lot about us to our audience.  Are we genuine?

               Being genuine is far more polite than speaking to be heard, or to fill up space. If we want others to value our words, we must insure they are meaningful and have worth. Do not fall foolish to an artificial state of politeness, and forget to be genuine. It is disingenuous to speak an insincere gesture when you could have otherwise offered a sincere, polite smile. You don’t want to fall on deaf ears when you do have something genuine to say, so remember, “Silence is better than unmeaning words.”