Funny how some people perceive arrogance as that of boasting alone or that of talking a lot and loud. The Encarta Dictionary tool has this definition:
ar·ro·gance [érr?g?ns]
n contemptuous pride: a strong feeling of proud self-importance that is expressed by treating other people with contempt or disregard
Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2004. © 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
It is not the loud mouth alone. SOME uncommunicative individuals are arrogant people, too. One has to observe how their eyes roll, their mouths twist, their eyebrows raise, or their smiles curdle just merely listening to somebody’s stories. Could it be that something was slighted within? Could it be that the inability to counter what one hears is reason enough to withdraw? Or is it because one thinks s/he is greater than the storyteller? Could it be arrogance in itself when one doesn’t care to utter a single word to counter or correct a statement?
I have been telling my children always to speak out what they think. There is a social responsibility to consider. It is not arrogance but self-confidence to speak out what one thinks is right. It is not wrong to assert. While most young people choose to be silent in the middle of discussions, my kids were not trained that way, or were not accustomed to that manner. They were trained not to be afraid to speak (in which case, we, as parents, have to endure the consequences, too), or share what they think (but not to brag). And most of the time, they are careful with their words on the premise that they don’t think or wish ill against others.
How ridiculous to listen to quiet-sounding storytellers who tell about their brand new signature stuffs. How can a simple-living citizen relate to that? I think to disregard how other people feel is pure arrogance. Self-importance is so magnified. Or they just don’t have anything of importance to say.
Let’s give the benefit of the doubt. I may be wrong but I may be right: Some tight-lipped egotists are arrogant, too.
Arrogance functions on the oxygen of its own modesty. The self-confidence that is part of being young is sensibly flexible.
Jerome Weidman (1913 - 1998)
U.S. writer.
Wanna see arrogance? Just look at Jinggoy Estrada...
ReplyDeleteha ha ha mismo! naaliw ako, single!
ReplyDeleteOO nga no...ngisi pa lang ni Jinggoy Estrada, nakakabanas na. lol
ReplyDeleteI hope it is not considered arrogance when one doesn't utter a word to counter or correct a statement (para iwas argumento, or huwag mapahiya yung tao). I'd rather call it passive behavior.
Agree din ako - Jinggoy Estrada is a good example.
ReplyDeleteBing, I was thinking of that word too because of what I went through yesterday. Ibang klaseng arrogance naman ito: I was in my kitchen (small unit in a building) when people from the other room (about 3 doors away) started piling out. They do this to smoke. Ok lang sana kaya lang they talk soooo loudly (practically shouting), you'd think they'd want the whole building to listen to their conversation. So what do they talk about? Their new cars, their latest gadgets. I was beginning to wonder if they understood each other or even hear what the other was saying considering that they were all talking/shouting at the same time. Did they think we'd be interested in what they were bragging about? Didn't they even think that other people needed to do their own chores without having to suffer through their shouting/bragging match? Kakainis talaga. Ang yayabang at ang babastos. When a person fails to consider other people's feelings or needs, that, I think, is arrogance.
By your definition - someone who shows utter disregard of others by being tight-lipped is snobbery which is also arrogance. I also think that there are people who fear that they don't have the social skills so they'd rather stay quiet and avoid conversations. It is sort of up to us to discern this I guess.
ReplyDeleteI was always referred to as "strict-looking" and yes, arrogant. Just because I'm shy and found it hard to grasp for some ice-breaker. Oftentimes shyness and aloffness are mistaken for arrogance. But then again, maybe i'm just naive and jaded. Maybe I was arrogant and never really noticed it. (God help me but I didn't really think so...)
ReplyDeleterhada, there are passive people talaga. but those who couldnt counteract then raise an eyebrow is really disturbing sa akin. it would be better for one to speak out his/her mind than act out. or probably, bw's right, that the person lacks social skills. most of the time naman, i ignore those people but if it becomes so obvious, sobrang nakaka iritate din.
ReplyDeletehi, bugsy. i saw that kind sa SM last saturday. a mom was buying her daughter an electronic toy. she was really speaking in a loud voice, as if siya lang ang me pera. when done, she told her daughter, "o, tara na, f*******, marami na tayong napamili, mauubos na ang pera ko," in a voice loud enough for everybody to hear.
hi, rey, this was not meant for you, as i've told you, :-) but yea, aloofness is sometimes mistaken for arrogance. the question is why would a person be aloof? i understand that there are reasons. but one should also be socially responsible and sometimes one's actions affect people around especially when one acts out.
off-topic...musta ka na
ReplyDeletehmm, there are times that i'd rather keep quiet than correct someones statement. iwas gulo nalang po. is that arrogance?
ReplyDeletetita bing... meron ka bang ready advice to someone who just wudnt let go of someone who constantly hurts them?
ReplyDeletemabuti ako, techguy! ikaw, musta na?
ReplyDeletei think hindi, mmylei. pero me mga tao na instead of correcting someone, tataas ang kilay, ngingising-aso, sisimangot, etc. that is way beyond good manners, e, para sa akin.
hey, jepoi. musta na u? simple - LET GO! i know this is not simple but why would someone subject himself or herself to such torture? ang daming babae o lalaki, at baka mas higit pa. acceptance is important, jepoi. one has to accept that this happens - some people are not meant to be.
thanks sa advice tita bing. i knew u had some really good advice about the situation. thanks.
ReplyDeleteno problemo, jepoi! be well!
ReplyDeletei totally relate. arrogant people have this air around them that aims to make you less of a being. it doesn't always have to come with words.
ReplyDeleteyea, will. there are people talaga that do not need talk, they just have this air of arrogance with them.
ReplyDelete