Always sitting on the fence?

              A heated argument was going on at a person’s house. All his friends had gathered there for their usual get-together. As they caught up with what each of them was doing, they felt happy and relaxed. It was very pleasant till one friend casually remarked about a person unknown to the group, “He always speaks glibly. He is also a sycophant.” This unwarranted statement and comment started a debate among them. Each of them argued for and against that unknown person’s behavior.

             Only one friend refrained from taking sides and diplomatically said, “Well, each to his own! Why should we bother?” Then added for good measure, the oft-repeated  suggestion that “The clever ones win an argument, but the wise ones refrain from getting into an argument” effectively implying that he was the wise one there!

              At the face of it, it seemed to be a very pragmatic statement. But given the fact, that that friend was always diplomatic and supposedly non-judgmental, it was evident that he was used to avoiding taking a firm stand on any significant issue. Hence the group could never ever get his honest opinions on any topic. This led it to believe that he was sitting on the fence safely all the while.

             Those who ‘sit on the fence’ are those who play it safe and avoid getting into controversies. They are more worried about saving their skins than making their opinions public. Maybe they lack self-confidence, or feel insecure about airing their views and risk being laughed at, or are just plain defensive!

             Prema plays hers cards very well by just being a silent spectator all the while. Even in the midst of a public gathering, she will sit as quiet as a cat, just listening to the conversation but not joining in, or better still, pretend that she is engrossed in her house-work or watch the idiot-box, so that she’s saved from voicing her frank opinion. The others feel that though she feels strongly about certain issues, she lacks the courage to be bold and make her views be known to everyone.

             In an office meeting, there will always be that one person who’s ready to go with whatever is suggested by the majority! “Majority wins,” he’ll proclaim grandly, while the others snigger at him and whisper that “He hasn’t contributed anything worthwhile to the agenda of this meeting. Such persons shouldn’t be invited to the meeting at all!”

            Hence fence-sitters don’t like to rock the boat and create turbulence in their ordered lives. They are content to sit and watch the fun or the events unfold, as if they are mere spectators. They are never really involved in any cause or committed to any issue and couldn’t be bothered as long as their lives aren’t disturbed.

              Even events of national and international importance fail to rouse them from their complacency. They’ll casually remark, “What are our politicians for? They’ll do the needful. We’ve enough on our plates and don’t want to add to it!” Extreme caution makes them adept at hedging. Such are the people who steer clear of expressing their honest opinions in newspapers, on Facebook and Twitter and other social media, for fear of a backlash. They’ll never take a clear and vocal stand on any relevant issue.

            Then there are others like Naresh who will play ping-pong and keep switching sides till everyone is confused about whose side he is really on! “That’s right” he’ll nod his head at one and then say, “Yes, that’s also true!” to another. “Well, what’s your opinion sir?” they’ll peevishly confront him, to which he’ll cheekily remark, “No comments!” Thus persons like him can never play the judge in an argument. He’ll let the argument snow-ball into a free-for-all and avail of free entertainment.

           This “sab chalta hai attitude” is the bane of our countrymen too. They are content to watch from the sidelines, occasionally prodding the players of the game, but totally indifferent to the outcome of the game! “Who cares!” is their common refrain.

            Unlike those who make social issues their personal business, these fence-sitters are just not bothered and are content to let sleeping dogs lie! They’ll firmly state that “It’s none of our business!” Let the concerned people do their work and be accountable for it. They’ll even be philosophical and state, “If someone is in the wrong, he’ll get his just desserts one day.” Thus they are not committed towards any cause and evade responsibility. They have a laid-back attitude and won’t be achievers in any field in life.

            Virendra always chose the “None of the above” option while voting and threw away his valuable vote. He failed to realize that if everyone chose that option, no candidate would ever win any election. No candidate could get a chance to prove his worth! A better option for him would’ve been to chose the lesser Devil and hope for the best. In a democracy, we shouldn’t be afraid of airing our views, but as some past unsavory incidents have proved that it’s better to keep mum, we’ll soon become an exclusive nation of convenient and safe fence-sitters.

            To sum up, it can be said, “Kindly upset that apple-cart once in a while, at least to prove that you are alive and kicking!” It’s time to take a stand. So stand up and be counted.

The copyright of this article is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.