America: the land of slogans, phrases, "You know what they say"s, and jingles, where a person can spew off a verse to a jingle and immediately associate it with an object or brand. Advertisers rejoice, jingles work. However, today's post doesn't deal with jingles but concentrates on the topic of contradicting sayings. Coming to America at a young age (2), I was thrown into a world where people just knew these "sayings," and I was an outsider because I didn't know what they were talking about.
Think about it, there are millions of sayings in the world to make certain situations seem common, to reassure that person that "Its OK, plenty of people have gone through this same thing, so many in fact that they have a saying!" I don't know about others but if I'm discussing a problem I'm having and asking for feedback, the last thing I want to hear is a catchy saying about it. "I broke up with my boyfriend, and it was really hard." Response -- "If you love something, let it go, if it comes back to you, that's when you know," "All good things must come to an end." Are you serious? Why do you have to let go of something you love? If I love something I want as much of it as possible, right?
It seems that these phrases that have been adopted into our everyday lingo have suddenly become the answers to our problems. They've ultimately become the guidance for the weak-minded. As a stubborn person (I know there are more out there), I know that when I'm asking for advice or talking about "feelings," I don't need a phrase I saw stiched in needlepoint as a response. The main reason these phrases and saying bother me is because they try to make everyone's problems common. Every person, problem, situation is unique in its own dynamic, and to make it seem like this happens to everyone is unfair.
We can have "the best of both worlds," yet we "can't have our cake and eat it too?"
If "Actions speak louder than words," then what do you say to the people that "wear their hearts on their sleeves"? Or to the parents that instruct their kids to "Do as I say, not as I do"?
If "Every cloud has a silver lining," then how come "When it rains, it pours?"
If we're told "A person is known by the company he keeps," yet "not to judge a book by its cover," which one do we choose?
If "Oil and water don't mix," then why do "opposites attract"?
And if "All good things come to those who wait," then why be the early bird and get the worm?
What should we believe... ?
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