I'm currently reading a novel by Amor Towles "A Gentleman In Moscow". In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov, an unrepentant aristocrat was sentenced to house arrest in Moscow. During one of his chance encounters, which didn't go well, he had the opportunity of a do-over when given a note which read "Please allow me a second chance at a first impression". After a bit of time with this individual, the Count concludes: "What can a first impression tell us about anyone? Why, no more than a chord can tell us about Beethoven, or a brushstroke about Botticelli. By their very nature human beings are so capricious, so complex, so delightfully contradictory, that they deserve not only our consideration, but our reconsideration--and our unwavering determination to withhold our opinion until we have engaged with them in every possible setting at every possible hour."
WOW! I REALLY like this! In our current climate of intolerance, we could all do well to consider this as we meet, greet and chat with others.
No comments:
Post a Comment