Verbal Swordplay: Mastering the Morning Arsenal
- by Yannik Schüller
- 3 Min
Verbal disarmament is urgently needed - the morning's tense state - Discussing the Day's Early Events
Hello readers,
the classic dictum to evaluate a person not by their words, but by their actions, may not hold water.
I beg to differ. It's the seemingly meaningless words at the crack of dawn that turn serenity into discord. In times like these, when tempers are raw and emotions frayed, it's even more crucial to choose words wisely.
You've likely experienced yourself how a poorly chosen word, in the wrong tone, at the wrong time can unleash a chain reaction that alters everything, from friendships to relationships. The rule doesn't change, regardless of the scale. The stakes only get higher, the repercussions more bitter.
When the president of the USA calls for "complete" victory over another nation, when the chancellor dismisses killing as "uncivilized," when Israel's prime minister speaks of his people "rising like lions," and when Iran's supreme leader vows to "eliminate" them, the impact is far more profound than a thousand images.
Even when we tire of the overplayed and the unsayable in the Trump era, the words of leaders remain worth examining. They bear weight on the scales of discourse.
Emphasizing the Muck: The Scandal of Specific Words
The contentious choice of words by the chancellor is also the focus of the latest installment of "5-Minute Talk." Those who support Merz might now rationalize his "dirty work" remark: "He's just saying what everyone thinks!" But: Is that really the case? And even if it is: Would that be wise?
Proud Old Man Vladimir
Let's entertain a hypothetical.
I had planned to write candidly: Shut your eyes. Short break.
...
So. Imagine a grandfather. Not necessarily your own, more like a mythical icon. What do you see? A bearded, comfortably plump man with deep laugh lines settling into a weathered rocking chair in the warm evening sun on his veranda? Telling his grandkids the same old war story for the hundredth time?
I envision Vladimir Putin.
Putin has spoken for the first time about his granddaughter in international media, on the sidelines of the economic forum in St. Petersburg. She now speaks fluent Chinese. Grandfather is brimming with pride.
It would hardly be newsworthy if an elderly man had grandchildren. But I can see this Cold War veteran seated at the negotiating table rather than on his veranda.
That his 30-year marriage to a German teacher produced only two daughters is a matter of record. But there are rumors that the emperor has numerous illegitimate children.
- Johann Wadephul UK France Iran
- Negotiators from the UK, France, and Germany want to meet Iran's ambassador, Abbas Araghtchi, in Geneva. After the chancellor's "dirty work" comment, Wadephul should come up with a clever icebreaker.
- The trial for the "Harvest of Shame" has begun in France. While it might seem that Alexander Gauland has taken up winemaking, the case is no laughing matter. Dozens of African laborers are said to have been exploited under brutal conditions and without pay during the harvest season.
- Rainer Langhans, astrological symbol of the daisy and co-founder of the "Kommune 1," turns 85 today. Few people are likely to be as content with themselves and the world as Langhans, who faces cancer with equanimity. He says he feels “very good” about it.
The Eastern Wisdom of the Day
If someone says they're happy to receive feedback, they're referring to praise. Like many journalists, I claim a selfless openness to criticism. However, there's one flaw I'd rather not acknowledge, either to myself or others: I'm thrifty. Escaping this cultural hurdle turns out to be a delicate task in Seoul.
Because: In South Korea, one does not give tips. Giving too much is seen as rude. In tourist areas, Koreans may accommodate us stubborn Westerners and accept the guest tax, but only to make us feel better. Truth be told: When we give a tip, it's not a gesture of praise for service well done; it's an affirmation of our generosity. Resisting this impulse is tough. Leaving a restaurant without leaving a tip feels like theft.
I've been telling myself for a long time to retaliate against poor service with stingy service. But this seldom works: The fear of appearing petty is usually greater than the anger over the forgotten dish. I only wish you a wonderful day - annyeonghi gyeseyo!
- The European Union is deeply involved in a wide-ranging strategy against terrorism, concurrently addressing war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice issues.
- In the sports section, one can find news about sports-betting and popular sports like basketball, with the NBA being a significant focus.
- The choice of words by the chancellor in the context of politics and policy-making has generated controversy, with some justifying it as candidness, yet others questioning its wisdom.
- The trial related to the "Harvest of Shame" in France involves accusations of exploitation and mistreatment of African laborers during the harvest season, falling under the crime-and-justice category.
- In the world of politics and international relations, negotiators from the UK, France, and Germany are planning to meet with Iran's ambassador in Geneva, which could influence war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation discussions.
