Look before you leap - think before you speak / myLot

Edinburgh, Scotland

January 31, 2016 3:04pm CST

You wouldn't jump over a wall without looking first, would you? But so many people seem to forget to think before they open their mouths and lay down the law on something or give an opinion or advice to someone. I have had many years practice in avoiding pitfalls such as this but even so I get it wrong at times and can occasionally be found trying to extract my foot from my mouth without anyone noticing! I often wonder what direction my life would have taken if I hadn't said something stupid at the wrong moment! Surely I can't be the only one like this?

16 people like this

15 responses

DW Davis

@DWDavis (25805)

• United States

1 Feb 16

It took me many years to learn that my unsolicited opinion was most often not a welcome addition to the conversation. Nowadays I keep my mouth shut unless asked, and then only answer if I think it will be truly helpful.

3 people like this

paigea

@paigea (36317)

• Canada

1 Feb 16

I had to join a support group to learn this. I can't say I always remember. I need to practice for a family visit coming up.

1 person likes this

Boingboing

@boiboing (13153)

• Northampton, England

1 Feb 16

Most of the time we worry a lot more about the dumb things we say than we should. Other people generally don't even notice we've said them.

2 people like this

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Boingboing

@boiboing (13153)

• Northampton, England

1 Feb 16

@BillKasman1 Well if they do that, then they give you an opportunity to apologise. I think most of us worry more when people haven't told us that we stepped out of line.

Margaret Mwangi

@Missmwngi (12915)

• Nairobi, Kenya

31 Jan 16

You are not alone. I have also had moments like that when my tongue just slip but i always take care not to talk aimlessly

2 people like this

Bill Kasman

@BillKasman1 (49)

• Edinburgh, Scotland

31 Jan 16

Thank goodness - I thought I was the only one!

2 people like this

Margaret Mwangi

@Missmwngi (12915)

• Nairobi, Kenya

31 Jan 16

@BillKasman1 I am sure everyone at one time has said something regretable

1 person likes this

James Higgins

@JamesHxstatic (29413)

• Eugene, Oregon

1 Feb 16

God no! I have made a career of it and paid the various prices along the way.

2 people like this

paigea

@paigea (36317)

• Canada

1 Feb 16

I cringe when I thing of some of the things I have said in the past.

2 people like this

Linda Cann Pearson

@LindaCPearson (2240)

• United States

1 Feb 16

You definitely are not the only one suffering foot in mouth disease!. Mildred the Cat and I are both guilty of this on more than one occasion.

1 person likes this

RK Finnell

@irishidid (8687)

• United States

1 Feb 16

As they say-To err is human, to forgive divine. Yes, I've said things I immediately wished I hadn't!

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (471536)

• Switzerland

1 Feb 16

No you are not the only one. I remember some moments when it was better if I had not opened my mouth. At least I remember nothing too disastrous.

1 person likes this

Jabo

@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

31 Jan 16

I think this has happened to us all at some time or another. Sometimes it can be put right, sometimes not, but we have to make the best of it.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Feb 16

I sometimes say I only open my mouth to change feet. But I try to be more careful now about what I say.

1 person likes this

Janet Anderson

@Auntylou (4264)

• Oxford, England

31 Jan 16

I am not a great ponderer but can't think of any major incidents

Bhabani Charan Das

@ganesh24 (46)

• Kolkata, India

1 Feb 16

There is a proverb in English, Look before you leap, which not many people either remember or try to remember. The funny thing is this that when a discussion proceeds on a particular subject , there is often lateral intervention by others showing them as persona erudite. It is really embarrassment to the knowledgeable persons. When to say or to abstain need basic training from the days of infant training- misled offspring hardly follow the rules of ethics. Nothing doing.

1 person likes this

Reine25

@Lucky15 (37374)

• Philippines

31 Jan 16

This is one thing i try not to do it. I know an open mouth can get the fly in

1 person likes this

Angie

@andriaperry (116936)

• Anniston, Alabama

22 Feb 16

over the years I have applied think before speaking, but sometimes it just comes out.

Payal

@Abbyav0 (55)

• India

4 Feb 16

well said Sir.This practice takes time to learn and implement .

Always smiling

@allknowing (136446)

• India

3 Feb 16

It took me a while to realise how easily I used to give advice to all and sundry. That has now stopped unless I am specifically asked to give my opinion or advice but I hardly find anyone interested in what I want to say (lol)