It seems I have stirred up some emotion with my recent articles so I am going to dig into the e-mails and reply.
My suggestion that Jennifer Aniston may not be the person we perceive her to be through her work certainly got you talking. I proposed that despite her success and outward pleasant demeanour she must have some serious flaws, as she seems to be unable to sustain a healthy relationship. On top of that I probably suggested that in reality she is possibly very dull! Ms Heart-Of-The-Matter challenged my presumptions, arguing that "maybe it's the guys who have the problem" and shared many anecdotal stories from her own life about male counterparts who tried in vain to impress her with their mobile phones and the like.
Ms Amna echoed this sentiment, and suggested that I was naturally taking sides with the men and putting all the blame on the girl. Amna cited that "Brad Pitt could have been the nightmare as he is equally responsible for the break-up". My take on that one is that I think what Brad Pitt did was pretty deplorable. It's hard enough to end any relationship, but to act in a way that puts the most painful of personal traumas in the spotlight like that was pretty low-down, showing no regard for the other injured party.
My other thoughts on the nature of friendship ('Laws of attraction,' April 3-10) got you writing as well. Ms Dina broadly agreed with my views on what it is that makes friendships happen but added that in her case "it's the mutual respect of feelings, of circumstances and beliefs... and never the freedom of overstepping the barriers just for one's entertainment" that counts. Others wrote in framing my opinion on the importance of visual attraction in more colourful ways. Ms MRYM explained that in some cultures where alliances are arranged by "talkative aunties", the beauty of the girl always takes priority, no matter what her personality. But she lyrically explained that "attractiveness comes, but you have to open the right windows".
Many write in saying that they appreciate my conversational writing style and ask for advice on how to take their own passions in this area further. Ms Aakriti is one who wanted some tips, and I really am at a loss for words. I just believe that you have to do whatever it is you do in a way that seems comfortable, and try if you can to bring something different to the party than anyone else... From A to Z just B yourself!
Last words go to Ms Signal, a teacher from Abu Dhabi, who awarded yours truly with an Oscar in her writing class! Much like in real life, Ms S explained that I am not always fully understood with my twittering but nonetheless her "students liked the activity as a trigge for their own writing". I am honoured and humbled and a little surprised that I would be studied in any kind of serious context but you never know, if I choose to break my rule of anonymity, I may well take up on her offer of meeting her class. The only condition would be that I could address the class like you see me in my mugshot, but I promise to remove my headphones.
Passing-with-Honours-ingly Yours.
My suggestion that Jennifer Aniston may not be the person we perceive her to be certainly got you talking. I proposed that despite her success and outward pleasant demeanour she must have some serious flaws, as she seems to be unable to sustain a healthy relationship. On top of that, I suggested that in reality she is possibly very dull! Ms Heart-Of-The-Matter challenged my presumptions, arguing that "maybe it's the guys who have the problem" and shared many anecdotes from her own life about male counterparts who tried in vain to impress her with their mobile phones and the like.
Ms Amna echoed this sentiment, and suggested that I was naturally taking sides with the men and putting all the blame on the girl. Amna suggested that "Brad Pitt could have been the nightmare as he is equally responsible for the break-up". My take on that one is that I think what Brad Pitt did was pretty deplorable. It's hard enough to end any relationship, but to act in a way that puts the most painful of personal traumas in the spotlight like that was pretty low and showing no regard for the other injured party.
My thoughts on the nature of friendship ('Laws of attraction,' April 3-9) got you writing as well. Ms Dina broadly agreed with my views on what it is that makes friendships tick, but added that, in her case what counts is, "the mutual respect of feelings, of circumstances and beliefs... and never the freedom of overstepping the barrier just for one's entertainment".
Others wrote in on my opinion on the importance of visual attraction, and in colourful ways. Ms MRYM explained that in some cultures, where alliances are arranged by "talkative Aunties", the beauty of the girl always takes priority no matter what her personality. But she lyrically explained that "attractiveness comes, but you have to open the right windows".
Many write in saying that they appreciate my conversational writing style and ask for advice on how to take their own passions in this area further. Ms Aakriti is one who wanted some tips, and I'm really at a loss for words.
I just believe that you have to do whatever it is you do in a way that seems comfortable, and try if you can to bring something different to the party... From A to Z, just 'B' yourself!
Final say goes to Ms Signal, a teacher from Abu Dhabi, who awarded yours truly with an Oscar in her writing class! Much like in real life, Ms S explained that I am not always fully understood with my twittering but nonetheless her "students liked the activity as a trigger for their own writing".
I am honoured and humbled and a little surprised that I would be studied in any kind of serious context, but you never know, if I choose to break my rule of anonymity, I may well take up her offer of meeting her class.
The only condition would be that I would address the class like you see me in my mugshot, but I promise to remove my headphones!
Passing-with-Honours-ingly Yours.
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