Thursday, October 27, 2005

Curious about Curiosity

My friend Margaret says that I’m the most curious person she knows.

I ask her, “Does that mean I’m really strange or that I ask a lot of questions?”
She answers, “See.”

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I credit my curiosity for everything I know.

But people often mistake curiosity for other things.
Things I wouldn’t want to be.


Some people can't conceive of a question asked without judgment or opinion.
They must have no experience with curiosity.
—me strauss Letting me be

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

It might not be that. And it depends on how the question is put, and the tone of voice. Too many times a question is a prelude to a judgement. Many people ask a question so that they can attack the answer.

Anonymous said...

Questions are the way a person learns--or at least me. I'm the notorious question asker. If there's something I don't understand or don't know I usually pipe in with a question. I guess you could call that curious...I never thought of it as a bad thing...but I can see how other could construe questions in a negative light.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Liz you are right. In fact, I think that is the usual case. So much so that when I ask a question out of curiosity, people assume it's the other.

Liz

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Jennifer,
Questions that start with "WHY" are particularly scary to some people. "Why did you do it that way?" For me or you might be a curious thing . . . they hear "You think I did it the wrong way."

Good morning, I think I'll color BEside the lines today. Lines need friends too, you know.

smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

:) That's a good place. YOu know occassionally I'm even known to color within the lines :) Since I am by nature organized and big on order :) It's that responsible oldest child syndrom that takes over every now and then :)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Actually, every now and then I'll invest in a coloring book and some crayons just to color within the line. I find it very theraputic. It's something I can ccontrol and it makes me feel like I've accomplished something.
smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

Oh! I can share my crayons (actually markers...they're neater and easier to stay in or out of the lines with) and I have an AWESOME architectural coloring book!

What can I say I'm a kid at heart. This coloring is my 'get away from reality' time. It makes me slow down and breath (jeez...was it you who just told me that!!) See I do know how...on occasion!

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

That would be so much fun!! My roommate in college and I used to color all of the time. It was great to do when we wanted to listen to music and talk.

I'll be over as soon as I can. If you're not there I'll have Tater let me in.

smiles,
Liz

Anonymous said...

I'm so with you there.
I'm (was) often mistaken too for having a hidden agenda, or being picky, judgmental, or other things, when all I really wanted was to know.
I hope that I've learnt over the years to reduce the amount of questions or to rephrase them so that people won't be on the defensive and/or actually give me answers.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Thank you Melly,
For saying what I was trying to say, but doing it so much better. It's frustrating--isn't it?--when folks don't take you at your work and all you want is to learn.

smiles,
Liz