Truisms That Aren't True (Part Two)

About 4 months ago, specifically in January, I wrote about truisms that aren't true, you can read the article here. Today, I'd like to revisit the topic and write about certain things I believe are common truths in the society, but are they really? To reiterate the meaning of truisms according to Oxford English dictionary, TRUISMS mean statements that are clearly true and does not therefore add anything interesting or important to a discussion.

Let's get on with my truisms for today, shall we?

BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER

In terms of it's physical properties, this is absolutely right, and also in the biological sense because blood can coagulate. As a figure of speech, it means FAMILY ABOVE ALL. I am one who holds family above all. While I believe there are two types of family; the ones we don't choose (those related to us by blood) and the ones we choose (our friends). Sometimes, as a matter of fact, blood isn't thicker than water. You'd hear stories about family killing family and family betraying family. These family related to you by blood can sometimes do the worse things to you, much more than any stranger can. If you think I am wrong, I can point you to reading Kushyzee's When your own family turns their back on you and see if I am wrong.

I guess my point is that blood isn't always thicker than water, not for some at least.

A LEOPARD CANNOT CHANGE ITS SKIN

Have you considered what if the leopard had access to a dermatologist or a Vet Dermatologist, it could probably change its skin 😂😂. Oh well, I reckon we all know this actually means people can't change their behaviour. Permit me to politely disagree. It is a common saying that change is constant, well it is a bit ironic to use that which can be called a truism to prove another truism isn't true. But we can all agree that people can change, good people can become bad people and bad people can be good. A armed robber can change is ways and become repentant. Humble people can become egoistic and egoistic people can become humble too. The point is that if the leopard really wants to, it can change its skin.

ELDERS ARE WISE AND SHOULD BE RESPECTED

I very much think this by no means holds no truth and whomever came up with this was trying to compel younger people to listen to the elderly. Truth is that we often romanticise about how elderly people are knowledgeable and filled with wisdom, but this is not entirely true. Harsh as it may sound, not everyone is wise and even those on the other side of the 'wisdom spectrum' get old too. Truth is that being older increases your chances of being more experienced as you may have gone through what someone younger is going through when you are that age, but that doesn't make the older person wiser or all-knowing, Not everyone learns from experience, and not everyone will also experience what others have experienced.

Perhaps this is a bit unclear, but let me elaborate a bit more. In my country, most tradition forbids you to be rude or for you to question the words of the elderly. While I subscribe to the socially acceptable behaviour, I also believe everyone deserves a certain level of respect for being human irrespective of their age. Until they do otherwise to prove they don't deserve the respect or do something that will further cement that respect and take it to a higher level.

This privilege deserved of everyone (old and young) seems to have become an entitlement for the elderly. The elderly can be disrespectful to you as they see fit but you are not to respond to them rudely irrespective of how they have been to you. Else there would be the talk about you lacking a proper upbringing.

CUSTOMERS ARE ALWAYS RIGHT

This is a common saying in my part of the world, most especially used by customers to aid their propaganda, whatever it may be. Many customers have taken advantage of the calm and gentle nature of sellers to be all form of rude. I remember when I had to engage some customers about the price of a commodity which goes for $1 as our retail price. I heard one of them say a Spar even sells for less than $1. With a straight face I said to him:

"That is Spar, we are not Spar. Spar buys directly from the company while we have to go through middlemen. Also, If you were to go to Spar right now to buy this commodity, if you factor in you cost of transportation, won't you spend more than the $1 we sell for?"

Everyone present stopped and starred at me as though the answer to my question was in their silence. Although, I could almost hear them processing how a young person like me would be so straightforward talking to an older man.

The man I had asked the question became silent as though it wasn't him I was talking to. I have had my fair share of encounter with customers, and if you aren't careful, there is a good chance they my just push you to react unreasonably because of the things they say thinking they are always right irrespective of what they say.

I am sure readers have had an experience relating to what I have mentioned above. Also, if you have a thing or two to say with respect to what I have talked about, feel free to share in the comment section.

Thank You For Reading 🖤🖤