I have a series of posts called New Rules: Natural Consequences Edition, in which I propose natural consequences rules for various behaviours that really should have consequences.
There's one behaviour for which I really would like to introduce natural consequences, but I haven't been able to think of anything yet. That behaviour is:
Lying to people about their own thoughts, feelings, motivations, or experiences.
This is probably my greatest pet peeve, so I want to give it a really good consequence. But nothing is coming immediately to mind. Any ideas?
5 comments:
Oh boy, this may be my greatest peeve, too, if I'm understanding you correctly. I call it re-writing my own history.
Can you give an example before I dive in with hideous methods of retribution?
I'm open to consequences for broad and all-encompassing interpretation. But some specific examples are:
- In the last Toronto municipal election, various politicos kept saying "Torontonians want [thing I don't want."
- One year (and this was before the Alzheimer's came along) my grandmother said "I didn't get you a calendar this year because I know you're too modern to use calendars." And this was back when I still did use calendars. (I stopped not because I'm "too modern", but because I don't have empty wall space in a location that would be remotely convenient to use a calendar.)
- Sometimes when people are out in public and some random passer-by doesn't talk to them, they say of the non-talker "They obviously think they're too good to talk to me." Which I find particularly infuriating, because my motives are the opposite - I don't talk to randoms without a particular reason because I know full well that I have nothing to say that's remotely worth interrupting someone's busy day.
Right. Mind-reading, mischaracterizing, speaking on your behalf without your consent.
My father would tell stories of our childhoods that never happened (inventing happy times) or retell painful events without the pain (erasing his abuse and bullying).
It's tough to think of a fitting natural consequence. But I'm trying!
Partial idea, not useful for all circumstances, but putting it out there as a starting point:
Every time someone lies to you about your story, you get to lie about their story by adding an item of your choosing to their resume or facebook profile. Or obituary.
That's a pretty great starting point.
If the person lies about the past, they must relive that moment from your point of view, then re-tell the story correctly.
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