Out & About

Have you ever heard the quote, “The only stupid question is the one you don’t ask”?

As I was out about this week, I was reminded of a line from a movie (Dumb and Dumber) when a character asked a skier, “Are those your skis... both of them?”

Stupid is a word that is not allowed to be used to describe individuals in our home; however, it is sometimes used to describe thoughtless reactions.

For instance, as I was out and about this week, I was once again asked by a teller, “Were you making a deposit or cashing?”

Now, if the teller had actually looked at the deposit slip, check and cash that I sent over in the pneumatic tube system, there would not have been a reason to ask the question.

In a moment of confusion I asked, “Did I forget to include a deposit slip?”

“No, it is in here,” was the reply. The next thought I had was, “If the correct authorization form is provided, why would you ask the question when the information is right there?”

I believe that there are times in life that we all may speak before first taking a good look around. It can be important in both our work and home lives that we have greater powers of observation.

Taking the time to observe can also help one’s ability to interact with others and allow for a more appropriate response in how a matter is handled.

For instance, my sudden reply to the question was one that could have resulted in an eye roll and a judgemental comment; however, regardless of the obvious, I chose to recall there are no stupid questions, just unnecessary ones when we haven’t taken the time to be observant.

The Prospect-News