Edible Fact!
I have noticed a plethora of social media memes and posts created to sum people up in a single concise, pithy sentence. To some point, these bits often have merit. In fact, recently I had an incident meeting a person for the first time. Her manner of speaking was definitely off putting; it was the literal words she was saying and the tone in which she expressed them. She did not want me around. She made herself inexplicably clear: I was not welcome.
As much as I would love to judge this and assume this is her demeanor all the time, I can’t. Maybe there is something about me that made her pass premature judgement on me. Maybe it was a very stressful day, and my presence unearthed her. Maybe she doesn’t like people with long straight hair. Who knows?
All I know is that there are some people out there who think the world of her. So based on that, I will give her grace. This is where those blanketed posts come uncovered.
Pay attention to how people talk about others, and how they treat people around them. Do they say please and thank you? Do they speak about their friends with a glow in their eyes? Or a true sadness when things are not going well? Are their smiles genuine? Are they friendly when interacting with others?
If the answers above aren’t so good, ask yourself why? There are those who are inherently not the most pleasant people. People who are insecure show their insecurities through egotism or shyness.
I suggest keeping an open mind and extending grace as much as possible. People grow and change. One moment, one interaction, one situation should not sum up their entire existence.
Of course, this does not mean you should be a doormat. It does, however, mean to dive a little deeper to find some understanding. You can still move on from the relationship. But if questionable personality arrives at your doorway again, your kindness today will make it easier and more fulfilling to give a little grace tomorrow. You’ll just be more eyes wide open with them.