By Junaid Tahir My friend Usama Rauf is well known in our circle as Foodopedia (our “Food Wikipedia”) because he always has the most r...
By Junaid Tahir
My friend Usama Rauf is well known in our circle as Foodopedia (our “Food Wikipedia”) because he always has the most reliable reviews of restaurants in Dubai. Recently, on his recommendation, we went to Gazebo Restaurant for lunch. The experience was wonderful—the food quality, rich taste, and overall environment were excellent.
One thing that caught my attention was the table mat, which had various quotes and one-liner jokes printed for customers’ amusement. One of the quotes read:
“Never argue with an idiot; he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.”
Later that evening, I thought to myself: what if I ever found myself in a situation where I had to deal with such a person? How should I handle it?
According to Wikipedia, an “idiot” is “a mentally deficient person, or someone who acts in a self-defeating or significantly counterproductive way.” But before labeling someone, it’s important to pause and reflect: Is this person truly difficult, or is it just my perception? After all, someone I may dislike could be considered very kind and pleasant by others.
If, however, your judgment is correct and you are indeed dealing with a mentally or emotionally hyper person, here are some suggestions:
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Avoid sensitive topics such as politics, religion, or caste.
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If you dislike a comment, don’t explode. Remember, an explosive person reacts instantly, while an implosive person stays calm and works toward peace.
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Refrain from criticism, as it only adds fuel to the fire.
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If the debate gets heated and the other person begins shouting, don’t match their energy. Arguing back is like throwing a stone in mud—you’ll only get dirty too. Instead, stay calm, walk away silently, and don’t take it personally. This is similar to the Law of the Garbage Truck: when you stop taking things personally, you gain real freedom and protect your peace.
In short, strong communication skills are most tested when dealing with difficult personalities. Remember, your ethics are your true wealth—never compromise them.
And on a lighter note—if you ever visit Dubai, don’t miss trying The Legendary Dum Biryani and Raan-e-Sikandari at Gazebo Restaurant!
Junaid Tahir, a telecom engineer and blogger, writes about wisdom, happiness, and stress management at his personal blog. He can be reached at mjunaidtahir@gmail.com for suggestions and feedback.
