Office Gossip
They were talking about their personal opinions of love and marriage. And I was
sitting besides reading my book in the office. It was Monday morening and after
a weekend's rest.
Their words came into my ears as I flirted with my book in an easy manner. But soon the intensity built up and I failed to stay indoor any more.
It is north here in China. And those ladies thought that anyone reluctant to marry is someone eccentric that deserves criticism from society.
I have never encountered this kind of situations when I was in the south. May that be because I was still in campus at that time, and it was ok for a college student to be single. But when she is into society working, well, no way to be single! If she still is that that time, she must be a playgirl or someone with inadequate social responsibility.
Unfortunately, single i am.
I almost flew out of the office without any words and stayed outside for quite
a while till I though they had done with that gossip. I do not want they to ask
me about my boyfriend or my view on marriage. Of course I do have views and they
are no less sharp or wise than theirs. But I feel sick talking among those or being talked in the office by colleges. My personal life? Fine! I am straight(no
fault still with those who are not either I should state again) and I am completely all right judging from angel of medicine. But what's the fault for someone like me to be single and feel right doing so?! Thank you for your care but please
mind your own business instead.
It was the very first time when I realise the pressure from society on someone who is single. I also got the feeling that northern people are less tolerant about someone different from themselves, from the sharp words spoken by them. They hurt actually.
Calming down, I would like to summarize my thoughts as the following:
It is fine if someone live a life different than yours. They may or they may not
want it to be so, but things are determined by one alone, there are may factors
that need to be taken into consideration when drawing a conclusion.
Marriage is a very personal thing. It is one's fortune to find someone to love and be loved back. But please, while you are enjoying these wonderful feelings, do not, spill salt over other's wounds. They may be trying very hard to recover from a hurt or something that shed shadows over them. Be indulgent, as "fear is the only reason for someone refusing to give tolerance."
Last but not least, and this is for me who felt hurt hearing such gossip. Remmember these people do not know you enough to judge you, nor are you obliged to surrender to their personal points of view. It is completely respectable for you to
be someone you want to be, under the prerequisite of not doing harm to others and society.
Finally, mind my own words when I speak in public next time. I am almost sure that someone has been hurt before when I gave my very strong personal views. They
may have brought hurt to someone else in that way. To them I offer my profound apology.
My last hope is for chinese soceity to be more tolerant, stereotypes do not always work. and we do not have to follow suit and catch someone on street and rush
him/ her into a marriage with us.