On which Western holiday can you play tricks on others? Do you like this idea? Why or why not? The other day, a student wrote to me with a question:
Dear Daniel, There is a boy in my class who likes to play tricks on me sometimes. The other kids make fun of me as well. It makes me really mad. What can I do? - Cathy |
This was my answer to her question:
Dear Cathy,
First, take a deep breath. Remember that you're still in school. This teasing is just a part of growing up.
You also say they make you angry. I remember a time that I got angry. When I was 11, one day, some older kids took the hat off of my head. They played keep-away, throwing it to their friends whenever I got close. I was so angry! I ran after them, but they were too big and too fast. The angrier I became, the more they laughed at me. Then I understood. I stopped running. I walked away without saying a word. Guess what? They brought me my hat at once. One of the boys even said sorry.
Don't play their stupid game. Don't get angry. That's what they enjoy the most. It's their power when they tease you.
You can take away their power. When they laugh at you, laugh back and say, "So what?" I can't promise that nobody will ever tease you again. But you have shown them that their ideas don't matter.
- Daniel