Many a times, a question haunts my mind......what it exactly means to be Practical???
I would try to elucidate my concern through some examples from my past encounters. The other day, I was discussing a typical case of Hit n Run with someone...no..no..its not about any road accident, it had been one of those missed calls, where the girl means something else, does something else and the guy gets hit by 'dat' thing, which people call as Cupid's arrow....
Being moved by the plight of my friend, I was considering all the plausible alternatives. And hence, I opted to take an expert opinion and what she advised was as generic as "Cow having tail". And the pill she prescribed was to get my friend's head back on his shoulders and ask him to behave practically. In short, to dump his emotions into garbage bin and move on as shown in 'Fast Track' ad.
The best solution one could think of, in a situation worse like this, was given considering criticality of it. But doesn't that implies that being practical means, you have killed your emotions!! Moral: you have become a heartless genius! What an achievement....
On the same lines, if you do a favor to someone, that person doesn't considers it a genuine gesture of affection or belongingness। Instead, it would be considered as a victory of practical approach or a deal of Barter system of modern practical world. Infact, if you do favor to people without expecting anything in return....well...congrats, you have been chosen to carry the crown of 'being a fool'.
Another example from day to day life. I wish you do not relate to it and if at all you do... there are many to feel empathy for you. If a guy pampers a girl considering her a friend, 99 out of 100 times, she would not object even if you are the last choice for her on this earth for company..of course, who dislikes being pampered! But usually she wouldn't consider it your generosity and won't drill down as she feels she deserves it...reason?? for her, it could be as silly as her rationality itself or as rational as her silly thoughts could be. Infact you could even see her giving tips and tricks to her side kicks on "How to become the chosen one" by being practical.
When you help somebody out or do a favor unexpectedly... you cannot expect a friendly smile, but.... an unfamiliar, suspicious gaze! Thats what you can call as the fruit, which ripes on the tree "Practicality"...
As per my understanding, I thought being practical means using heart when you are considering people and using brain, while looking at things। But I guess my terminology is different from the Practical species. In fact the saying that," Love people and use things" has been reinstated as,"Use people just like things only". And of course its my problem if I cannot digest the very fact that being practical is no longer used for rational and logical thinking but for being selfish and self-centered.
However, I would definitely not like to get into a debate with the Practical species as that is itself not a practical idea rather. But on a personal note, I would urge you to try and get impractical at times if not always. And let me know, if it is a silly idea or an idea that changed your life .......because who knows if this is the one!
Wonderful blog, I would like to add another dimension to this very “emotional” thought.
ReplyDeleteAs there is no perfect definition for “What is right” and “What is wrong”. Similarly there is no scale where you can measure practicality. It has different meanings for different peoples.
Best way to know about practicality is to ask peoples straight away. “What do you mean by being practical”. Well there are some exceptions, for the example given in 3rd Para if you would have asked her about her definition. You might end up doubting your own. “Girls” ……you better know.
Scarcely you will find your definition matching with others, Hence clashes are inevitable. My suggestion to you is to live on your own definition. It doesn’t matter if you have more EQ in your practicality.