All my life, I have been relieved to have people tell me that I can trust them. And what they mean is, I can trust them not to repeat something that I shouldn't be telling them.
The strangest thing about these trustworthy folks is, when I thank them for the reassurance, and I tell them that I do trust them, but that I would rather simply be trustworthy than burden another with my untrustworthiness - this is looked at as a great insult!
I hasten to clarify - it's not looked at as them insulting my trustworthiness. Which if anything, you'd think that would be the insult in the situation. Someone has come to me saying they think I'm the kind of person who will break a confidence, but that it's okay, because they won't let anyone know. And I don't take insult, I just decline to break a confidence.
This, they take as an insult.
I can never figure that one out. Loop-a-doolie!
5 comments:
I had to read that about five times before I understood what you were saying, even though you were being perfectly clear. Paradox is not my strong suit, but it suits you just fine.
Paradox, paradox? But you love Chesterton!
My main problem with paradox is I often don't know when I'm engaging in it.
But as I read this thing, yeah. I think I could have been more clear. Maybe tighten it up and put the 3rd part 2nd instead of 3rd. And cut a few lines and merge them.
Hah, I also read through this one a few times, and I think I get what you mean because people do this to me all the time. If I'm getting it right, you're referring to people who approach you, knowing that someone told you something in confidence, asking what it was that they told you and saying you could trust them not to tell anyone?
"Sorry, I said I wouldn't tell anyone."
"I won't tell! Nobody will know!"
"Yes, that's what I said."
"So you know what I mean!"
"No, because if you mean what you want me to mean, then you'll go tell people."
Gah. People. (I assume you'll correct me if my interpretation here is worng.)
I am going to need to re-do this one. It no longer seems clear to even me!
But you know what, both of you got it! So if I redo it I'll leave the original up as a testament to your powers of comprehension.
I read it as "damned if you do, damned if you don't."
Or something.
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