Daily Prompt – Litmus, Litmus on the Wall

If you had to come up with one question, the answer to which would determine whether or not you could be friends with a person you’ve just met, what would it be? What would the right answer be?

It’s hard sometimes being so judgemental.

Daily Prompt: Never Surrender

Are you stubborn as a grass stain or as easy going as a light breeze on a warm day? Tell us about the ways in which you’re stubborn — which issues make you dig your heels in and refuse to budge?

I’m a Scorpio… being stubborn is just part of who I am.

Ironically, it’s a trait that I really cannot stand in other people.

When I find myself in that kind of head-space where I’m being stubborn, it’s usually for a reason. Unfortunately, however, there are also moments when I’m being stubborn because I’m behaving like a child, and refuse to budge on whatever the situation is.

Somehow I have a tendency to find things that make me draw a line in the sand, and refuse to budge from my side, regardless of whether the person on the other side is making a convincing and compelling case otherwise.

As I’ve become a bit older, my stubbornness and refusal to budge is becoming more social / political.

For example, take our current government in Australia. It’s being run by the Liberal party, and lead by Tony Abbott. Tony has done nothing but completely tear this nation apart piece by piece, and as somebody who voted for The Greens in the last election (I usually vote Labour, but the previous election was just ridiculous, and I didn’t even have a vote of confidence for the Labour Party, hence why I voted Greens), I find that I simply cannot even talk to people who admit that they voted Liberal. I just cannot do it. I don’t understand how these people could WILLINGLY
vote in this government, and somehow be okay with Abbott being hell-bent on total destruction. I would love nothing more than to see him overthrown. But for those out there who actually VOTED him into office. I cannot respect you. It’s because of you that this clown is in power. It’s because of you that he is now ruining this country. It is because of you that I am embarrassed to call myself as Australian.

But it’s not all about politics and social justice issues… it can be ridiculously minor things.

If I decide that I don’t want to do something… I can guarantee you, you won’t be able to change my mind. Alternatively, if there’s something that I want to do, then you can be damn sure that I’m going to go out of my way to make sure that it’ll happen. If it comes at the cost of neglecting other people, then that’s just unfortunate. And if you’re going to try and prevent me from doing something that I want to do, then you can be damn sure that I’m going to make sure that I do everything in my power to ensure that I make it happen. Even if it means upsetting other people around me.

When it comes to Hulk and I… well… it can be tough. Hulk is perhaps the most stubborn person I have ever met. Generally speaking, everything is black and white – shades of grey simply don’t exist. If you’re not Hulk’s friend, then you must be Hulk’s enemy. If you’re not with Hulk, then you’re against Hulk.. etc etc.

However, there have been countless times when Hulk has been wrong, but refuses to accept it or acknowledge it. Hulk’s arrogance can sometimes be astounding, to the point where I simply cannot believe that he reaches some of the conclusions / decisions he does, and I most certainly don’t understand them. I still haven’t quite worked him out yet… and sometimes I wonder if I ever will. He’s a hard nut to crack, that one!

In saying that though, so am I. I can be just as equally stubborn, however, although Hulk may think that in certain situations I’m behaving like him, I don’t see it – regardless of whether I actually am or not. Sometimes I know wholeheartedly that I’m behaving like a dick, and that I’m doing so intentionally… but let’s face it, it’s merely just a new way to describe childish behaviour.

In my life there are certain people, and certain situations that really push. my. buttons. When this happens, I tend to shut down and go into my own different space… whether it’s out of frustration, or anger… a pissed off Scorpio is certainly not somebody you want to be around, let alone on the wrong side of. I have a tendency to completely flip my emotional state 180-degrees in a heartbeat. Most of the time I can be nice, and sweet, and generous and caring… however, if you push my buttons, that part of me flies right out the window.

So if you ever experience me saying “don’t poke the bear”… that’s usually your cue to walk away — coworkers of mine – take note!!

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/03/11/daily-prompt-never-surrender/

Feb 4: Others Perspective

Do you think it’s possible to ever truly see the world from another person’s perspective, or are we held so tightly to our own way of viewing the world?

I don’t think that everybody can see an argument from both sides of the fence. I feel as though that’s an ability only held by certain people. I feel like I’m one of those people. Yes, I have the ability to see another persons perspective, but it might take a bit of explaining for me to do so.

I will openly admit that when I have an opinion of something, then I find that I get cemented in that opinion, and refuse to listen to any others that might contradict, or go against whatever ideal I might be in support of. However, once I come back down to earth and stop acting like a dickhead, I will welcome somebody to explain their viewpoint. I might not necessarily agree with what they’re saying; I will probably more than likely cement myself in my opinion even further and try to explain that to them instead – especially if their argument is something that seems to be quite closed or narrow-minded.

Usually, this leads to further discussions, or in my case, arguments, but although I’m more than aware that everybody is entitled to their opinion, I keep expecting them to have my opinion. So naturally, when they don’t, I can find myself in a heated debate / argument with them about it.That’s usually when I get to a point where I simply cannot talk any sense into them and walk away from the conversation.

Feb 3: Today’s Event Perspective

Write about an event that happened today. Now write about it from the perspective of someone else in the room — your child, your partner, a person dining in the same restaurant… your choice.

I’m currently sitting on an Air New Zealand flight back to Melbourne from Auckland. We were up this morning at 4am, with a taxi booked for 5am so that we could be checked-in at the airport by 5:45am for an 8am flight.

Given that we had 2 hours to kill, I suggested that we go and spend that time in the Air NZ Koru lounge. That way we could sit somewhere that’s actually comfortable, we could have a decent breakfast, watch a tv episode or start a movie etc on my iPad, or even have a bit of a nap until we board the plane.

Hulk didn’t want to.

After learning that the cost to do so was going to be NZD$55, he immediately dismissed this suggestion, as he refused to pay money to go and be comfortable. It can be hard to negotiate with somebody who can be quite bull-headed and stubborn, especially when they’ve already made up their mind about something and refuse to budge or listen to reason. I suppose from his point of view, he didn’t want to spend any more money, and no doubt viewed spending another fifty bucks as an unnecessary expense. However, in hindsight, I should have just organised and paid for it all myself and not said anything to him, and then he’d probably be more accepting of it, because it didn’t cost him anything.

I wonder if you can buy lounge access online… Perhaps next time I should just do that and not say anything??

Jan 29: Influencing Others

Are you good at influencing other people?

I think that I can certainly have my moments when I’m talking to others and trying to persuade them or convince them of something. But I find that it’s much easier for me to try and persuade them than it is for them to try and persuade me. I’m simply too stubborn and would prefer to have my own opinion first, and then have others provide their opinions as well as a means of support.

I think it just depends on what exactly it is I’m trying to influence others of. I find that if it’s something that they might not necessarily know much (if anything about) then I can sometimes explain the situation to them so that they are aware… but I can just as easily skew that information to lead them to make the decision themselves, even though it’s the decision that I’d already made, I just lead them in that particular direction and let them think that they got there all on their own.

Other situations, however, aren’t that simple or straightforward. Sometimes it can actually be quite difficult to try and influence others. In some circumstances it can sometimes be almost impossible to even get others to see your point of view because they’re so focused on their point of view, they won’t even consider anything else. Nothing else exists. To an extent it reminds of the old adage ‘if you’re not with me, then you’re against me’. To normal people, this seems completely ridiculous because we see the world in shades of grey (just not 50 of them!), whereas they are only seeing things in black or white; yes or no.

Those people, I find, there’s simply no talking to; no reasoning with them.

Jan 24: Pressure To Rebel

Does pressure ever make you want to rebel and do the exact opposite of what is being asked of you?

Oh lordy, does it ever!!

I have this ‘trait’ – it’s almost instinctive, like I can’t even control it. It usually rears its ugly head whenever I’m in a bad mood, or feeling incredibly frustrated, or highly stressed. And it can be the most trivial request. Somebody can ask me to do something for them, and I’ll purposely go out of my way to not do it. I’m not saying that this happens on a regular basis, but I will admit that I have my moments.

It’s childish, and stubborn and completely stupid, but it’s something that happens. I’m not really sure why it happens, but it does.

However, sometimes I don’t even get to that part – more often than not, too much pressure just makes me want to throw my hands up and completely give up on whatever task I’m doing. It might just seem too difficult, or there might not seem like there’s any end in sight, and I find myself just wanting to throw in the towel and give up.

Again, childish and stupid.

Jan 20: Conformity

Do you still feel pressure of conform? If no, what age did it stop?

 

In certain aspects of my life, I still feel there is almost an obligation for me to conform – regardless of whether or not I want to for whatever reason. Certain situations in my life don’t allow me to question people and / or their actions which I find so unbelievably frustrating.

Even if it’s something that I don’t agree with, or don’t support, there is an expectation of me to be a team player, whereas I would be the one to point out all the faults and reasons not to support it.

But if I do that, then I’m not seen as a team player, instead, I’m viewed as being too negative. I view it as being logical.

Rather than work out the answers to issues as we go along, why not sit down and brainstorm all the possible variables for a situation, and then work out what the solutions for those variables will be. I’m the sort of person that asks the questions that others either don’t want to ask, or simply don’t consider. That’s how my brain works. You tell me you want to begin some kind of venture, and I’ll immediately think of at least a dozen different questions that I know you haven’t thought of, or can’t answer.

The bit that really drives me up the wall, is that I will at least voice my concerns with whoever is in charge, which is usually completely disregarded, then later down the track something will happen that they didn’t anticipate (and something that I voiced a concern over) and then everything becomes frantic whilst they scramble to find a solution.

Meanwhile, I completely walk away from the situation washing my hands of it because I tried to bring it to their attentions, and they ignored me. It’s just that it happens more than I would like it to – you’d think that by now, surely, they’d actually value my input and listen to what I have to say, because I’m sure they don’t find any pleasure in seeing me sitting there saying I TOLD YOU SO… yet, they continue to let these situations happen.

 

My input means nothing, so I don’t get involved. But if I don’t get involved, I’m viewed as not being a team player.

I just can’t deal with these basic bitches.

The cherry on top of it all, is that these people are earning a fuckload more money than I am, and yet ignore what I have to say, even when I’m right.

So yes, as much as it frustrates me, and as much as it makes me start flipping’ tables in my mind, I really don’t have any choice but to just shut and be a team player – it’s my job, and that’s what I’m there getting paid to do, even though I might be surrounded by idiots.

As for the rest of my life, no, I’m such a non-conformist. I think I was the most when I was in high school because it’s all about trying to fit in and being part of a little group of friends, or a clique, but even then, it drove me crazy. I’m too independent to be conforming to what other people expect or demand – sometimes I go to the extreme of just being so incredibly stubborn simply to make a point or stand my ground, even if I’m completely aware that I really don’t need to be doing so.

*sigh* I’m starting to sound like a bit of a complicated individual. *lol*