No mind, won't mind

What would a normal individual do if he got up in the morning to find the newspaper wet, made tea to realise it tastes aweful, that the pet has left its footmarks on the office pair of clothes and then missed the transport to work? Worse, when (s)he does get a chance to squeeze into the crowded transport, someone helplessly sneezes on the neck.

I'm guessing your answer is on the lines of 'curse everyone, spit the tea out, kick the pet and then ruin what is left of the day.' Now just imagine half of the working population experiencing one of the mentioned genuine tragedies. Aha, now that sounds like a Monday.

It's very interesting to know that each one of us has our own threshold value for irritation. In that, too, different levels for different issues. But come to consider this: 'We set our own limits when it comes to tolerating people, issues and situations. Why not stretch it just a little more?'

First of all, nobody or nothing is worth your peace of mind. Then why do we go about throwing it away at the drop of a hat? Classic example: A five year old chap doesn't have his vegetables at dinner. Dad loses his already strained 'rational thinking' and gives him a earful about children dying in Somalia due to lack of food. Classic reaction: The boy stares wide-eyed, eyes moisten up, tears flow and then the wails. Runs to Mom/Grandma/Grandpa. C'mon, is that fair? But then, it's a vicious cycle - Dad gets it from the boss, who in turn gets it from his wife [or mistress], whose brains have been eaten royally by the housemaid. The housemaid most probably had had a tough time taming a drunk husband or unruly children. And so it goes on.

I've found a way around such problems - smile at the person who's the potential irritator. Intentional or unintentional. The irritation, that is. The smile doesn't have to be of Colgate magnitude but something to make the other person think. Guaranteed you'll earn yourself a few stares, a little more-than-few abuses, the occassional slap if you've tried it on a peeved woman [don't tell me I didn't warn you]. But it's completely worth it. Gives the feeling of 'Nobody can touch me'. After all, are not people the world over spending money to regain that alien concept called sanity?

As always, I have got to list down the people one must not use this method with. Professors are a big no-no. There was this one guy who thought me to be a shameless character and flung my assignment like in an Olympic discuss throw. I must say his range was impressive.

Then come parents. They think you're making fun of them, or better, undermining their authority. Well, coming to think of it, this would appear that way. They may sound irritating but I guess we mostly deserve the lectures. It's not like we have lived perfect lives.

And lastly, the physically most dangerous - when in the middle of a heated arguement/starting of a fight. I'm warning you, it may cost you your front teeth and a few drops of blood through the nose. But I'm saying it again, its completely worth it.

Note: The author strongly recommends the readers to find out a method best suitable for themselves but at the same time takes no responsibility for any mental or physical injury sustained by them trying out any of the above mentioned methods.