Learning to shut up

da012
Originally uploaded by munch999

Learning to shut up is one of the hardest lessons to learn in life. I am terrible at it. If I would put the same amount of energy into speaking when I don't want to (due to shyness) as I do when I shouldn't speak (making a jackass of myself) I'd probably be a more likable person and have more friends. But that would be breaking some other tenet of my philosphy which states: more friends equals more problems.

Some basic rules to follow about learning to shut up: Never talk about politics, religion, how much money you have or bowel movements.

So, basically we're left with this conversation:
Me: Hi, how are you?
You: I'm fine how are you?
Me: I'm fine. It was nice talking to you. Goodbye.
You: Bye

When I first moved to Austin, I was dating a very beautiful, tall, hourglass-figured, blond who I liked very much. As you all know, I really suck at dating and if I had kept my mouth shut, I could have possibly dated this woman a lot longer or maybe still today. She had told me about her friend in high school who went to the same college as me. We had the same major and I had actually worked with her on several projects. The girl was a total beast to work with and I told my then girlfriend that her friend was a bitch to me in college. Which is all true, but I should have most definitely kept it to myself, because after a month of dating she broke up with me the next day. I later found out that this was the reason.

Anyway, that is that. Hopefully, I can learn and encompass this virtue into my daily life.