Fortune News | Nov 30,2019
Aug 26 , 2023
By Carolyn Kissane
Following an attempt to help a lady and her son who were struggling to get in a taxi carrying a large backpack, I invited a conversation with the mother who took a seat next to me.
It started off with a smile showcasing her gratitude for the assist. During our brief interaction, she was intrigued by my appearance which looked familiar and asked if I was from Dire Dewa City. I explained that I had been to a few places outside Addis Abeba but it was not one of them.
She expressed genuine interest in finding out more and delved into the personal questions about my work and family.
Although it felt a bit awkward to open up to a total stranger at the time, I tried to be cautious with my answers while remaining polite.
There is a fine line between genuine curiosity and outright intrusion into people's privacy. Especially inside public transport, I attempt to be mindful of my conversations as I never know who could be listening while sharing personal information.
Despite my reservations on the matter, i to continued the chat out of cheer politness.
After countless questions and answers, the woman asked if I could pay the taxi assistant 10 Br since she could not find her wallet. The moment had me suspicious thinking that the "I know you from somewhere" ruse was a scam.
I figured the amount she asked was not worth ruining the moment, decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and paid.
The conversation started making me uncomfortable with her comments on my personal choices while trying to impose her beliefs.
Apparently, the lifestyle and preferences I shared did not meet her standards and were not worthy to be mentioned in her eyes. I attempted to change the subject as the interaction began to take an unexpected turn but was unsuccessful.
Conversations should be a battleground for ideas. However, engaging wholeheartedly and trying to grasp other perspectives is wise instead of fixating on imposing own beliefs.
The right to express oneself has limits. Meanwhile, crusading others for their outlook is considered harassment and often fails to attract people. There is a fine line between persuasion and aggression; crossing it can cause resentment and backfire.
I finally told her my preferences were not her concern, and she eventually stopped criticising me. I was relieved the conversation ended but irritated by the woman's pushy behaviour. I appreciate learning different perspectives but dislike being forced into a certain ideology.
It is a fundamental right for individuals to make choices that suit their needs.
Everyone is free to make choices without being pressured or coerced by others. It is essential to be respectful of other peoples' preferences and life choices, even if we do not share them.
Although logic takes the major share, charisma and approach play their part in getting the point across. People are more receptive to new ideas when they feel understood. Instead of being accusatory, it is better to build relationships and try to recognise where the other side is coming from.
PUBLISHED ON
Aug 26,2023 [ VOL
24 , NO
1217]
Fortune News | Nov 30,2019
Radar | Jun 15,2025
Radar | Jul 20,2019
Radar | Jul 09,2022
Radar | Feb 27,2021
Fortune News | Aug 29,2020
View From Arada | Feb 24,2024
Fortune News | Oct 24,2020
Advertorials | May 27,2024
Radar | Jul 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 156687 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 146974 Views | Apr 26,2019
Photo Gallery | 135527 Views | Oct 06,2021
My Opinion | 135265 Views | Aug 14,2021
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
Sep 13 , 2025
At its launch in Nairobi two years ago, the Africa Climate Summit was billed as the f...
Sep 6 , 2025
The dawn of a new year is more than a simple turning of the calendar. It is a moment...
Aug 30 , 2025
For Germans, Otto von Bismarck is first remembered as the architect of a unified nati...
Aug 23 , 2025
Banks have a new obsession. After decades chasing deposits and, more recently, digita...
Sep 15 , 2025 . By AMANUEL BEKELE
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa's largest hydroelectric power proj...
Sep 13 , 2025
The initial budget in 2011 was 80 billion Br, but this figure swelled to a revised cost of 240 billion Br by 2024, a challenge that was exac...
Banks are facing growing pressure to make sustainability central to their operations as regulators and in...
Sep 15 , 2025 . By YITBAREK GETACHEW
The Addis Abeba City Cabinet has enacted a landmark reform to its long-contentious setback regulations, a...
Loading your updates...