Shy vs. Rude: It’s Not a Popularity Contest
Shy is a relative emotion that is rarely shared with our relatives. This wonderful little escape mechanism is often used in new surroundings. It is also used out in public. We almost never practice being shy around family members though. Our relatives have actually earned the right to see us at our worst, just so we can tell them how it is, often very rudely.
Shy is reserved. We only show that part of us which portrays our best image. This way, people will notice us, and maybe even say complimentary things about us. Shy contrasts greatly with rude, which shows us to be strong and forceful when we want our own way.
Shy is often underestimated. It attracts a sympathetic audience, where rude turns people off. Shy is quiet, but can be rather sneaky. How can anyone forget Shy Di? Her reserved, quiet demeanor didn’t prevent an entire country from forming opinions about their own world leaders. And her relatives had plenty to say about her private behavior. As I recall, they indicated that she might be considered rude. Their own behaviors, reserved for a private family audience, give insight into how family relations are much ruder in private than in public.
Contrast Shy Di with Mother Teresa and you may see some differences between shy and rude. Shy is self controlled, and not worried about taking center stage. It doesn’t dress in fancy clothes, or take cameras to serve the poor. Shy is at one with life, serving appropriately, without always having something to say. Shy doesn’t need to be right. It just needs to be quiet and continue the task at hand.
That is not to imply that wealth and opportunity should not be used to expose poor situations. It is a well documented fact that public awareness helps ease oppression, and provides opportunity for the general public. Awareness invites the general public to offer assistance. Shy and rude is not the issue here. Popularity can be beneficial under any circumstance. Both Princess Diana and Mother Teresa were extremely popular, and made a great impact on those they served because of this.
Shy can be trusted and is well respected, though not often talked about. Shy never was one for too many words. Rude sends the receiver running for the door, especially if the receiver is shy. Most of us are shy and rude. Princess Diana certainly was. But Mother Teresa is one we’ll have to think about. She was definitely shy, but it is terribly difficult to imagine that she was ever rude.
