Pointing out the Extremely Obvious
You may be wondering why I would write a hub about pointing out the extremely obvious. If it isn't obvious to you, read on.
As a conversational starter there are planned phrases, rehearsed phrases, topics that have been learned or memorized, or very simple expressions like 'hello', or 'good morning'. A useful method that I developed was to take a note of the immediate surroundings and point something out that is very obvious, something that a person wouldn't normally pick out. By doing this you get the person you are speaking with to agree with you, which is an excellent first step in a communication. Let me give you some examples:
- To a person with a striped shirt (white and yellow): Is your shirt white with yellow stripes or yellow with white stripes?
- To a person holding a pen: It appears to me that you are holding a pen.
- To a person that is with you in a park where there are some trees: That's a tree over there.
- At work, there is a post-it note pad on the desk: You have a post-it note pad on your desk.
As you can see, the examples can go on ad infinitum. Often I will get back something like 'yes, so?' or 'why are you mentioning this' or some variation of these two. Normally if it is the first or second time that I point out the extremely obvious to that person I will say something like 'I like to point out the extremely obvious as it helps to tie me down to reality as otherwise I might float up into an ethereal plane and cease to exist'. This normally gives me an odd look, but occasionally I'll get a knowing look which makes all of this ridiculousness worth it.
Once I have pointed out the extremely obvious to the same person a few times, I no longer say that I would float away, because the person has now become accustomed to this practice. In many cases by doing this the other person retorts by pointing out something else that is equally extremely obvious.
- Me to a person sitting at their desk: That's a chair you are sitting on.
- That person back to me: Yes, you are wearing shoes.
Inane Hub Category?
Should there be an inane hub category?
I had trouble categorizing this hub as there is no inane category. Should we lobby for one to be created?
You should try pointing out the extremely obvious at least three times within the next day after you read this hub. You can then report back here as to how it went.
Comments
Yes, I would obviously vote for an inane category and could easily contribute to it.
This was funny. I wanted to vote for two answers, but I suppose that is obvious, too.
- Author
Thanks, Rochelle - I think there is insufficient inanity in the world these days. We need more of it to combat the deleterious seriousness.
I laughed at least twice while reading this. You are funny. Did you make up the term deleterious seriousness? I think i will try it & report back--unless I forget.
- Author
Thank you, scribble, I don't know if I made up the term 'deleterious seriousness', but I have certainly used it on more than one occasion.
Interesting approach to making friends!
The article made me laugh too, as I am sure some of your comments make you victims laugh out of confusion ...
- Author
Yes, this method can certainly have some interesting side effects.
Laughing out of confusion is a basic of humor. I discussed the "tickle" phenomenon of friendly attack in a hub about writing humor.
- Author
I'll have to check it out, thanks for visiting this hub.
Inane yes, but food for thought. You reminded me of the many times I have proofed a hub, quickly published it, only to find after several comments that there are obvious mistakes, ones that I should have/could have/ought to have caught.
This reminds me of how kind other hubbers are in overlooking errors.
That reminds me that I sometimes wish someone would point out the undeniable...but, clearly, it's not their job to correct my work.
Indubitably, I need to solve the problem of publishing without more careful editing.
Pointing out the obvious...sometimes funny, sometimes helpful, yet it should never be rude. :)
- Author
I tend to read my hub at least three times before I publish it, I have my own standards to keep. I do not tend to over look errors in hubs that I find, I usually send an email with some suggested corrections.
Oh! Read mine!
:)
I know...inane.
- Author
I will go to check it out presently.
Very clever and very funny. Voted up and funny...
- Author
Thanks MMP, much appreciated.
me to the person whose phone is ringing, "Your phone's ringing."
- Author
Excellent! Me to capalynn: you just commented on this hub.
Thank you, Phil Plasma; I mean Captain Obvious, for this hilarious glimpse into your captivating mind. I voted this up and useful.
- Author
EB, thanks for the votes!
I wonder what its like inside your head :)
I enjoyed reading this and had a giggle or 2.
voted up
- Author
Rosemary, thanks for stopping by. The inside of my head has very little to no cream cheese.
I am leaving a comment here, as it is the comments box.
I pressed the button marked funny. Because it was.lol
- Author
molometer, thank you for leaving a comment in the comment box. Thank you also for pressing the funny button. You appear to have one more vowel than consonant in your name.
Phil,
Your comment
'You appear to have one more vowel than consonant in your name.
Is wrong?
It should read.
'One more consonant than vowels'
A subtle distinction.
But one I think you will find is correct!
Pointing out the extremely obvious is fun. isn't it?
- Author
molometer, I sit corrected, as I am sitting. Indeed, pointing out the extremely obvious can be very entertaining. Thanks for stopping by!
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