It's another heat-wave and you answer the door to an
unfamiliar woman.
Would you like a drink of water? Here, please...
There's the well known description of the optimist versus the
pessimist. While the optimist will consistently see the glass
as being half full of water, the other can only focus on the
void that exists. While the pessimist's predictably non-
positive view of the world is depressing enough, there are
some unfortunate souls who take it a step further.
Critically, they'll comment that the aforementioned glass is
unwashed, the unfiltered liquid is obviously full of
impurities and teeming with harmful bacteria. Any attempt to
drink it would be endangering one's very existence.
Furthermore, if you wanted to be truly hospitable, why were
you too lazy to fill the glass? And the speck on the glass -
might that not suggest that it had NOT BEEN RINSED since the
last person drank from it, G-d forbid?
Then there are those who enjoy `suffering' so that they have
refined to an art; they have their own style of
interpretation. It upsets them no end that the skimpy amount
of water you served was so far from generous. This solitary
act is a serious indication of stinginess, selfishness and
inconsideration on your part. Besides, there was a definite
negative attitude in the abrupt and offhand manner in which
you slammed it on the table. (Nevermind the hysterical baby
and the burning pot.)
When the bedroom phone rang, you promptly picked it up, in
the free hand that was not holding the baby. You thought it
more important than remaining in the kitchen with your
visitor. In the unlikely event that a brocha had been
made on the lethal liquid, no one would be there to answer
amen. This is a clear indication of mistaken
priorities and poor hashkofos. Never mind that you had
mentioned your expecting an urgent call. That was no excuse.
However, no rational person would partake of such a drink.
Severe dehydration would be the preferred choice.
This seething mental soliloquy is accompanied by a pained
look of betrayal, martyrdom and disillusion. A dramatic
scenario, all because the water/glass did not meet stringent
specifications.
The Other Side of the Glass
An encounter with a certified considerate optimist is always
refreshing. The scene might be as follows:
"Please don't bother getting me a drink. You're so busy and I
don't dare impose. Oh, not a real glass! Just give me
one of those plastic disposable cups, even a washed out one.
Please don't trouble yourself.
"Well, if you insist. Thanks. Such a pretty glass. The phone
is ringing. Could I hold the baby while you answer it? I'll
let myself out after this refreshing drink. It was a real
chessed. Tizku lemitzvos! Thanks again."
There's nothing simple about a glass of water.
