Originally published between 2015 and 2018, this post has been updated but preserves its original publish date as best as possible as content is migrated from the archives of The Flavored Word.
Remember word problems in school? You know, ones like this: If person A drove 15 mph for 60 miles and person B drove 20 mph, who would get to mile marker 35 first … or something like that. Well, I have a word problem for you. Here it goes:
Suzie is friends with Mary. Mary tolerates Suzie. Suzie thinks she is friends with Jane. Jane is friends with Mary. Jane cannot stand Suzie. Jane does not pretend to be friends with Suzie. So, why is it that Suzie feels compelled to spread ill-will about Jane to Mary? Is it because:
A.) Suzie is juvenile and simply can’t help herself?
B.) Suzie thinks Mary will favor her more if she talks bad about Jane?
C.) Suzie lacks a spine and cannot think for herself?
D.) Or, is it merely that Suzie is, well, stupid?
E.) All of the above.
Not all that long ago I had the pleasure of spending time with Suzie, Mary and Jane and a few others, and I was more than a bit disenchanted with Suzie’s lack of couth. I mean I get that it’s somewhat “normal” to talk about other people and a good humored poke at a friend can, at times, be acceptable. BUT, when people like Suzie are always down in the mouth about their “friends” it gets a little hard to swallow and even harder to listen to and quite frankly, I really don’t want to hear it.
Now, I’m not necessarily suggesting everyone follow the, “if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all” rule, but it sure would be nice if a few more people stood their ground, stood up for their beliefs and stood up for the people that they call their friends.
Happy Tuesday Everyone! Now go say something nice about someone you care about : )
By the way, I noticed I lost a few followers as of late … don’t suppose that was Suzie’s way of letting me know she found her spine? Oh, and in case you are wondering, the answer to the word problem is E.) All of the above.
Cover image created with Google AI.
DISCLAIMER: I’m a writer and an editor. And I try my best to make sure every post is articulate and free from errors. However, being that I edit my own work—and it’s next to impossible to properly edit your own work—I admit, occasionally there may be an error or two I miss. But doing so doesn’t make me an idiot so don’t be mean. Just smile, pat yourself on the back for finding an error and be glad you’re not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes … xoxox
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