Sometimes, I don’t know what in the world is going on. I find it absolutely strange when at one moment, everything appears to be fine and the next, it’s right up hell’s doorstep. Granted, it all started with something as seemingly harmless as some jokes. Well, whatever you wish to call it. IMHO, it was meant to get the good vibes flowing. Knowing myself, (in fact, I believe quite few of my close friends can even verify that) I can probably go for several hours without saying anything. That was the past. It has changed somewhat, but old habits die hard. Not even with a sledgehammer, it won’t. I think I’m more vocal now, compared to probably a decade ago, but it’s nowhere how I’d like it to be. Still, at least a start was made, and it has progressed somewhat. It doesn’t matter how slow the progress is, but at least there is some. Better than nothing, that’s what I always say.

Still, it’s not easy trying to go against the flow of things. It’s relatively straightforward, once you get the hang of things, but sometimes there may be a loose rock or two hidden from sight. Maybe something blurted out which shouldn’t have been, something said which may sound alright, but if intepereted wrongly, would have adverse effects. Well, if shit can happen, it sometimes does. The problem comes when something was inadvertently mentioned, said or done which would appear normal for one, and be outright offensive to others. Similarily, not everyone has the same sense of humor, and the same tolerance level. We all react differently to jokes too. Some would laugh out loud, some tend to smirk while others may just chuckle to themselves.

So what happens when a joke has gone a little sour, or maybe a little bit too far. What then? What’s the best way to salvage the situation? Do you try and hint first, that it’s time to move on, and not carry on past the point of no return? That’s what I’ll do anyway.

How about ignoring the joke, in the hope that it’ll just pass? Not contributing to the joke is probable, but ignoring the person totally? Is it rude at all in the first place? It’s like behaving as though the person doesn’t exist at all, which in itself quite rude to start with. Maybe it’s just me, and my different way of thinking, but somehow, I still feel that some form of notification, verbal or otherwise would be good. Perhaps ignorance could be used as a form of notification, but what if it wasn’t picked up in the first place? It’s probably like giving the cold shoulder, but what good does it serve? It may serve the short term purpose of stopping the immediate frustrations, but it only serves to further undermine the long term solution.

The feeling isn’t exactly nice at all. When everytime you try to initiate a conversation, it either starts on a not too friendly tone, or worse still, it gets cut off abruptly. Just as bad, when even neutral and slightly positive remarks return zero response. It’s just like giving a show of ignorance, only that there’s no visual cue whatsoever.

I don’t see the point when it’s mentioned that henceforth, everyone will be treated just like everyone else, while what’s practically happening is just the exact opposite. It’s just like being strangers once again. Acquaintenances, perhaps. Then why mention it in the first place, when a straightforward farewell would suffice? Why give hope, when all that is given turns out to be false?

I’m not the type to hold at gun point, just to get something done. All I did was to try to bring an end to the unpleasantries, as nicely as was possible. To be very matured about it. I was prepared to bury the hatchet, to let bygones be bygones. However, it turns out that it wasn’t meant to be. I shan’t dwell on it any longer, for that’s not what I’m here for. Life is just too short to spend time on such unpleasantries. Really. I think I’ve already done my part and tried my best. If there’s no reciprocating response, I don’t see what I should linger around and eventually turn into a pest. That’s not me, by the way.

All the best to you then.