Count to 100 to escape trouble

Count to 100 to escape trouble

JAKARTA (JP): A former U.S. President prayed before being
sworn in, "Lord, please keep my big mouth shut until I know what
I am talking about."

He had a very good reason for saying the prayer. Embarrassment
or even serious problems can stem from a careless word. However,
blunders are sometimes unavoidable. When you are angry or
excited, you're apt to say something without thinking. Even when
you are in a good mood there is always a possibility that you
will say something you will regret. Barbara Bush, when she and
George were occupying the White House, went all-out to calm
farmers and mothers angry about her hubby's comment that he
didn't like broccoli.

A friend of mine was sued and spent a month behind bars just
because he made a bad remark about somebody who turned out to be
a strongman. An artist had to vanish from the stardom because she
mentioned something that caused a rain of protests. And the
newspapers are full of Indonesians being prosecuted for what they
have said.

I once lost a nice friend because I joked about his head. I
didn't know how sensitive his head was to him. Sure, he accepted
my apology, but our warm friendship ended and I still can't
forgive myself for being so thoughtless.

Speaking in front of a sleepy audience is another tricky job.
During seminars, discussions and informal talks, Indonesians tend
to get sleepy, especially when their stomachs are full and the
topic is boring. The speaker sometimes get carried away with the
situation and resorts to getting the audience's attention by
making a joke or saying something sensitive. This can be a
mistake.

Ordinary people can get out of it by exclaiming, "Oh me and my
big mouth" and get away with their blunder. But slips by
celebrities can lead to serious problems. They could lose face,
popularity and fortunes. The relationship between two countries
in our neighborhood once soured because of a "slip of the tongue"
at the top level.

SPARKS from the ANVIL, a magazine specializing in the digest
of wit, gives its readers valuable advice on keeping their mouths
shut. One piece of advice comes from Thomas Jefferson, another
former American president: "When angry, count to ten before you
speak; when very angry, count to one hundred."

The advice is still relevant in todays world. Even when you're
not angry, it is still advisable to pause before you speak.
During seminars, in particular, better to count before waking up
the dozing audience with a sensitive joke. Let them sleep. It's
safer.

-- Carl Chairul