Want to know something that really bothers me? False humility. People are always claiming that they are awful at something that they are really actually amazing at. That means that when I say I am really bad at something, people don't believe me and I get stuck doing things that I am truly awful at. Girls have especially mastered the skill of false humility. Although, no one wants to listen to someone brag all day about how they are *hairflip* the best thing to ever hit the planet.
I have decided there are different levels of humility. For these examples, I will use the skill of piano playing.
1. "What's a piano?" They aren't lying. Don't ask them anything else.
2. "I know Chopsticks." You should translate this to mean, "I used to play when I was five but can't anymore."
3. "I can play a few Hymns." You should translate this to mean, "I can play a few Hymns by memory and I can also sight read pretty well."
4. "I used to take lessons." You should translate this to mean, "I used to teach lessons. It might take me a few tries to get it right, but I am basically a concert pianist."
5. "Oh, I'm not very good *slight smile, eye shift*." You should translate this to mean, "I am not very good compared to Beethoven. I used to win all sorts of competitions but haven't competed since a graduated from high school."
I know we are supposed to be humble, but aren't we supposed to be honest as well? Most of these talents people are humble about required a lot of time and attention in order to develop. I am also guilty of this, but most of the time I am guilty of thinking I am better than I really am and then in the end being very happy that I did not "talk up" my own skills.
Just in case you were wondering, I know Chopsticks.
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12 comments:
I don't know chopsticks, but I did take lessons as a kid. They were very short lived. I didn't care for playing piano with two hands haha.
I totally agree with you, false humility is irritating to me as well. I feel like the reason they do it is more to fish for compliments than to really act humble. In this case, I'd definitely say that honesty is a lot better.
I agree with you and I wish we could all just be honest about our strengths. But of course I'm guilty of this, too, because it's how our society works (at least the female half).
For a skill like piano, though, I've started being brutally honest even if it makes me look like a showoff. If you are in a pinch and need someone to accompany and you ask me if I can play the piano, I will tell you, I can play anything you want because I sight read really well. It saves them hassle and I get to do something I love. No need to lie. You know? I'm sure you'd do the same with sign language. It's a needed skill.
Totally true. I'd have to add a category for myself between "I can play hymns" and "I'm a concert pianist." I took lessons for 10 years, but thanks to kids (and well, let's just say life in general!) I don't practice enough to be really good or to know things by memory.
Oh, and I say cut the hair. Why not? I think it's always nice to have a change. And you can always grow it back out! B
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR HAIR!!!! You better post pictures ASAP:)
haha very funny, and TRUE!
I would be in the what's a piano category (although I do know what a piano is.:) Never learned to play. That's why I married a husband who is musically talented.
Sorry, for all repeat comment posts! Dang computer. (It couldn't possibly be human error....):)
haha, i'm halfway between the "i can play chopsticks" and "i know a few hymns"
isn't it amazing what a cool skill the piano is? i know most people are forced into a few years as a kid, but my poor children are going to be forced into their teen years! :-) hahaha!
that false modesty gets us every time! but the truth is, the truth in our mind, and what is ACTUALLY true are two VERY different things. I see myself as one thing, but then I hear people talking about me in such a different way than I think I am! Bizarre!
I'm in love with this post!
My goodness Emily. :) You are super Miss Popular. I love this post. It's SO true, and they way you put everything makes perfect sense. One of my favorite things in life is hearing other people's soap boxes. :) It's quite enjoyable. I also know chopsticks. I wish I wasn't all that good at the piano, but some people just walk in the light. Oh well. I love your blog. You inspire me.
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