Who Do You Think You Are Talking To?

I smashed one of my teeth into smithereens last week and was left with what left like a million sharp little knives ripping at the inside of my cheek. It hurt! As soon as 9.00a.m. came, I dialled my dentist and when my call was received I launched into a graphic description of my problem! A moment of silence followed and then the listener said: who do you think you are talking to? - clearly, I had the wrong number! I was speaking to an accountant in a large accountancy firm! He wasn't going to sort my tooth problem! I then dialled with greater care and got the appointment with the correct relevant professional!

Now, that was a funny conversation which started the day in the right tone for both myself and the accountant – his name was Jim! However, we all have conversations every day without really checking who we are talking with! What I mean by that is that we often come from our own place of passion, complaint, pain, exuberance, .... without checking if the person we are talking to has the right tools to deal with what we are saying in the moment. Most of us arrive out into the day looking reasonably well turned out and neutral for the roll out. That might take a lot of make up or pretence on some days, as service and professionalism requires a little acting.

Every single person we encounter has a story and on some days the chapter of the story might be a difficult one to bear. The person serving us at the till, driving the bus or managing a bank may have left a young child or a person with special needs in somebody else's care for the day even though they may have been crying on separation. The teacher, nurse, receptionist may have a concern about someone with addiction or illness of some kind in a close to vulnerable state on departure from the house. Anyone we encounter may be suffering from anxiety or poor mental health or just a sore tooth. Everyone encounters tough challenges, at some stage, generally needing to get on the track of daily life regardless.

We generally greet one another at the beginning of the day asking how one is before we get the machinery of life rolling in the workplace. Receipt of a verbal unfiltered outpouring, such as mine with the accountant, is not the desire of anyone, which is why suitably qualified and equipped people are paid to receive same! However, we can all offer a kind attitude to all whom we encounter as we never know what anyone else is going through on any day.

Cathy Burke
Catechist in the Lucan Partnership of Parishes