Think before you speak

Not too long ago, a lecturer of mine handed an article to each of my classmates and I. The article was about making judgments and assumptions. As most of you would know, assumptions are beliefs or ideas that we feel hold some truth behind it, but it is usually supported by little or no evidence at all. Making assumptions of jumping to conclusions was not my cup of tea, and I suppose, anyone else, and so, I was growing more and more annoyed with the article which constantly brought up the topic of us being so oblivious to the fact that we were making assumptions of almost everyone and everything around us.

I wondered: Are we REALLY that oblivious?

As I continued reading, I came across the picture that was placed in the middle of the article. it was a picture of a family, but it was an odd picture. There was a kid who was sitting in a corner of the room, a lady draped in cloth, and a man looking at the lady. Immediately, thoughts started racing through my mind.

Was the child abandoned? Why was he looking so sad? Something bad must've happened.
Why was the lady draped in cloth? Is she a model? Or was she trying to be seductive?
What about the man? Why was he staring at the lady?

At the very moment, I snapped back to reality and to tell you the truth, I wanted to bitch slap myself hard. Just a few moments ago, I was being in denial, telling myself that only ignorant people were the ones who made judgments and assumptions without actually verifying the information. And here I was, making up my own tale of who did what and so on.

I was such a fool

It was then that I realized that what the article said was true, that we were so used to making assumptions and passing judgments, that we sometimes fail to notice that we are actually doing it.

Just take this for example:

You're walking around in a park, when you spot a gorgeous lady (whether you're a guy or a girl) and you immediately assume that a) she's taken b) She's rich and is high maintenance or c) She's too stuck-up. So you continue walking, ignoring her.

Then up ahead, you notice a group of guys charging towards you. You look around, panic, and then realize that they weren't after you, nor were they trying to run you over. They actually separated or diverted directions to avoid bumping into you.

And what about that old man with the young hot babe? Either she's after his cash or he's a perv. Am I right?


Even when you're driving, you assume that the other drivers on the road would follow the traffic and speed limit, and even direction so as to avoid collisions. But in this case, your assumptions are right most of the time. But when it's wrong, it can become deathly.

In conclusion? Stop making freakin' assumptions of everyone and everything, or else...

It'll make an ass out of you and me, because ASSUME is after all ASS+U+ME.

Till then.


Loves.