Friday, 8 October 2021
Thin Etiquette Context
Today, I was in a meeting, and the topic of bullying arose. It’s a prickly subject, and depending upon the audience, your views can get misinterpreted. Saying something which treads the thin etiquette line between etiquette and offensive can quieten a room.
Fortunately, those in the meeting understood my intention and were not offended, thus avoiding crossing the thin etiquette line between morality and embarrassment. But it could so quickly have gone wrong.
I’m going to cover my views briefly, and I apologise in advance if you’re offended. Thus, I mentioned that the bullying I’d received at school strengthened my character. Admittedly, it wasn’t the same degree of bullying that the person in the meeting had witnessed as he was growing up, with kids turned upside down and their heads held above the toilet. The comment then was grossly out of context. That’s what happens when you enter part way through and don’t have the facts.
Yes, the bullying I’d encountered was some name-calling, hair pulling and persistent innuendo. The latter always confused me because I both found it flattering and offensive at the same time! I was flattered because the comments implied, I had a great body or bust line worthy of attention and appreciation. On the other hand, I was offended that it was the only area to get attention. Alas, the thin etiquette line got crossed.
Fortunately, I can look back on those times, acknowledging it for what it was, youth and inexperience. But sometimes, we slip up and wind up with “foot in mouth”, from which we need to extricate ourselves.
Today's Cards
The Cards - Thin Etiquette Analysis
Carryover Cards
No cards carried over from yesterday.
Cross
An Adventure in my Distant Past fuelled the Goal for a change in views, Thunderbolt. In the Recent Past, I gained an Understanding of a situation I hadn’t comprehended before. How horrific has my friend’s life been to be exposed to such horrible “bullying” tactics? And I grew up in a “bad” neighbourhood!
Luckily, the Playful influence in the meeting allowed me to travel from Moment to Moment (Now) and escape traversing the thin etiquette line.
Future Energy has Rebirth, and for once, I’m not sure whether to view this card as a positive card. Do I want a Rebirth of the memories about childhood challenges, even if they helped me form a sense of worth based on reference to me?
Base
As I entered the conversation and realised the thin ice I was walking on, I struggled with finding my footing to the safe ground (Schizophrenia card in Feelings position). In the end, I felt simply letting my perspectives go and seeing how the chips landed was the best way to go.
Others’ Views are that I’m experiencing Ice-Olation. This recognition could have occurred when the invitees realised I was struggling for the right thing to say once I had the full context.
When it comes to Hopes & Fears, I hope my Maturity helped me navigate the situation. Alternatively, the reverse – expressed as fear – could be true, and immaturity was what showed.
Finally, the Abundance card is in the Outcome position. The Outcome shows the expansiveness and benevolence of the people attending the meeting. Their generosity allowed me to skirt close to the thin etiquette line without causing me to panic and cross into nonsense comments to save myself.
References
- Osho, Osho Zen Tarot – The Transcendental Game of Zen, St Martin’s Press, ISBN 0-312-11733-7
- Tarot Layouts per month
