I am speechless

By Klaus Döring

People often use the term “speechless” to express how stunned or moved they are, even though they can still speak. When someone says, “I’m speechless,” they usually mean, “I’m shocked!”

If you are truly speechless, you are temporarily unable to speak, usually because something has shocked you. But is being speechless positive or negative? Often, “speechless” carries a negative connotation due to its association with emotions like anger or jealousy. For example, “My mom was speechless when she heard me cuss out my grandmother.” In this context, “tongue-tied” wouldn’t be appropriate.

Sometimes, there’s no point in crying, yet we feel paralyzed. A good friend recently shared this sentiment with me. Words cannot describe it, and words fail me, but I wouldn’t be a writer if I couldn’t find the right words at the right moment.

After a long conversation with my friend, I must confess that many times, I too have felt speechless and paralyzed.

Consider this: follow-ups seem to have become the new national character. The indifference of those around us leaves us feeling this way daily. Indifference appears to be one of the prevailing attitudes in today’s society.

We try to get an appointment, but the other party always seems to be very busy—every day of the week! Of course, we don’t want to encroach on others’ time, so we try again tomorrow. How do you feel when you see employees who are supposed to serve the public instead reading magazines, making personal calls, sending text messages, and getting downright cheeky when we start countless follow-ups? Then, suddenly, we learn that “the boss is out of town” or some other excuse. GRABE!

Yes, I might fall out of favor with some readers for today’s column, but what’s the difference between being busy making money and just being indifferent or “not in the mood” to engage with people?

I can tell you frankly: Many people feel paralyzed and experience a terrible loss of power or sensation when dealing with the uselessness, indifference, arrogance, and ignorance that characterize many situations in our daily lives.

If a promise has been made to help or support someone, it shouldn’t be broken by endless excuses and stalling tactics. A “yes” should mean “yes,” and a “no” should mean “no”—not “maybe”—if the promise can’t be kept.

I don’t like making someone wait for an answer or during an appointment. I try to address the matter or take care of it. If I’m informed that someone tried to contact me but missed me, I do everything to find him or her. What’s so bad about that? Sorry, but I really don’t like being late or “remaining silent.”

How many good ideas and promising business deals have vanished because of uncomprehending, unsympathetic, and unappreciative everyday interactions? Can you relate?

Yes, sometimes I feel uncomfortable observing missed opportunities. Remember, we don’t get anything for nothing in this world, but first, we should learn to keep promises, help each other, be honest, and be leaders in national stabilization and consolidation.

+++

Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, or X (Twitter) or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.