If you want to be heard, whisper
When Design Kompany was based in Ireland, Akira and I hosted a party.
We lived deep in the heart of the Republic, the southwest tip of County Cork. In fact, it was the furthest away from Norhthern Ireland you could possibly be. Rumor had it the publicans passed a bucket around to gather up change for the “boys in green.”
Back to our party. I have to tell you about The Orange Guy.
One guest—the friend of a friend—wore a bright orange T-shirt. It was a hint of what was to come.
His voice was casual at first, but began to boom as he trotted out story after story of why Northern Ireland was way better than the Republic. It quickly became awkward, as he got more and more drunk.
In fact, his friend ditched him.
In one short night, The Orange Guy managed to push everyone away, including his own ally. In just the span of a few hours, all that noisemaking got him absolutely nowhere. In fact, he was worse off than when he started. In the deep south, where I’m from, this state of being would be called “sorry.” As in, “That guy was just sorry.”
Our neighbors, “blow-ins” from the London neighborhood of Essex, took The Orange Guy in for the night.
Nothing wrong with contrasting opinions. In fact, healthy debate is always welcome.
But the way in which The Orange Guy shared his views was undelicate.
Better to be subtle.
The lesson?
If you truly want to be listened to, whisper. Don’t scream.
