What is this business of nerves? If one thinks it through
logically, it seems to be a case of neglected middos.
Some people are so laid-back and even-tempered that nothing
seems to rile them. Others ought to live on a desert island.
If something gets on your nerves, it means the perpetrators
are encroaching on your privacy. The mobile phone on buses,
even if the speaker keeps his/her voice down, is invading the
peace and quiet we would like on the bus. Then why does it
irritate us when we see or hear so many people apparently
talking to themselves on the street? It isn't our space and
we can move on!
If parents have `nerves,' it is very likely that the children
will have even more than their fair share, because they have
been made aware of nerve-shaking actions. Does it really
matter if your son slouches across the table and eats with
his fingers? He might conform at home, because it isn't worth
while being reprimanded at each meal, but he will certainly
revert when he is in yeshiva, out of his parents'
jurisdiction. Yet strangely enough, he will admonish his own
children for the same thing when the time comes.
Unfortunately, people vary in their `nerve' priority. I
personally cannot stand the litter in the streets of
Jerusalem, and go so far as to pick up rubbish to deposit it
in the nearest bin. But is it my business if other people
drop their refuse in the street, and horrors, let their
children follow their example?
The sound of a piece of chalk on a blackboard makes many
people come out in goose bumps. Therefore, they now have non-
squeaking white boards. Some teenagers cannot do their
homework without music blaring in the background, whereas
mothers might be going up the creek.
In short, other peoples' behavior bothers us, as if to say we
are perfect and the other guy isn't. In some cultures, it is
polite to burp loudly after a meal. This shows the hostess
that you enjoyed the food. So why should it bother me at my
own table when one or several members of the family fail to
stifle the ill-mannered little explosion?
We want our own nearest circle to conform to our own rules
and regulations which we have set out for ourselves, but
should we not desist?
Oh, why do I have so many pet hates?
A steamed up bathroom, left-open gates...
Why do I mind children's hairs in my comb?
Cigarette smoke pervading my home?
What is the difference to me if you slurp?
Finish your dinner, then loudly burp?
Why be annoyed when it's your nails you bite?
If they were mine, why I'd have every right!
Hard apples are good till it comes to the crunch,
Why do I flinch when I hear others munch?
Why gnash my teeth, shake, almost swoon,
When people sing ever so slightly off tune?
As for that door, let it squeak, let it squeak;
The man with the lisp, let him thpeak, let him thpeak;
The ones with B.O., let them smell, let them smell;
I'll keep my distance and like them as well.
Live and let live, is my motto for now;
People won't change all these things, anyhow.
I'll just not take notice, not care a jot.
But, why, tell me, why, must you pick at that spot?
