Hey there! Time to diffuse that verbal bomb - your daily dose of reality
Verbal disarmament is essential in the current climate, particularly at daybreak - Discussing the day's initial happenings is in order.
By Yannik Schüller* ~ 3 Min Read*
Greetings dear readers,
The time-honored adage, "Don't judge a man by his words but by his deeds," is a familiar one. But I dare to challenge it.
In today's volatile climate, an ill-chosen phrase can unleash a torrent of chaos, destroying friendships, and relationships. The principle holds true, regardless of the scope – the stakes just get larger, and the consequences more devastating.
You've likely experienced the power that a poorly-timed word, spoken in a sharp tone, can have. It can set off a chain reaction that changes everything, leaving shattered trust in its wake. The same principle applies on a global scale, when the U.S. President demands "total" victory or Israel's Prime Minister speaks of "rising like a lion." It's a verbal grenade, with far-reaching consequences.
Even for the once unspeakable, the words of the decision-makers require careful weighing. To stir up old wounds, it takes no more than a single careless word. To heal, it takes many, many more. And there are far too few of them.
When discord becomes deed...
The contentious word choice of the Chancellor is the focus of this week's "5-Minute Talk." As Merz supporters might argue, "He's just saying what everyone thinks!" But is that really the case? And if so, should he say it?
Grandpa Wladimir's loving pride
Let's imagine a scenario.
So. Imagine a grandfather. You got the picture in your mind? A white-haired, jovial man, with deep laughter lines, sitting on the creaky porch of his summerhouse? Sipping coffee in the warm evening sun while spinning tales for the grandkids?
Nope. I see Putin sitting at a political summit in St. Petersburg, sharing a moment with international reporters about his granddaughter's linguistic prowess in Chinese.
It's nice to know that a 72-year-old has grandchildren, but the news hardly calls for a breaking headline. Yet, I can visualize Putin, a wolflike KGB veteran, more likely in tense negotiations than rocking leisurely on a porch.
- Though it's no secret that he has two daughters from his 30-year marriage to schoolteacher Ljudmila, several alleged illegitimate children of his crown are the subject of numerous legends.*
As Foreign Minister Wadephul and his UK and French colleagues meet with Iran's chief diplomat, Abbas Araghtchi, in Geneva, he'll have his work cut out to find the right words. After his boss's "dirty work" comment, setting the right tone couldn't be more crucial.* The explosive trial for the "Harvest of Shame" begins in France. Far from a cheerful winemaker, the Aaron Bauer case involves allegations of exploitation, inhumane labor conditions, and unpaid wages for dozens of migrant farmworkers.* Rainer Langhans, the flower-child pioneer, turns 85 today. Few people can claim to be as serene with themselves and the world as the co-founder of the "Kommune 1." His cancer diagnosis doesn't seem to faze him, as he says he's "feeling great" about it.
Eastern Enlightenment
When I say I appreciate feedback, I mean compliments. Like many journalists, I position myself as open to criticism but shrink when someone casts doubt on my abilities. Isn't that charming?* However, I've got one flaw I'm reluctant to admit or think about myself: stinginess. But avoiding this turns out to be a cultural challenge here in Seoul.* Because: In South Korea, you don't tip the server. Not because thriftiness is part of the local culture, but because being generous is considered rude. In tourist areas, Koreans gradually accommodate our inflexible Westerners and accept the guest tax – but only to spare our clumsy, culturally-naive selves the embarrassment. It's still a bad habit.* When a Seoul café placed a tip jar on the counter two years ago, it sparked a weeks-long national media debate. Let's be honest: Our inner scrooge gets off when we leave an exact change bill, as leaving a restaurant feels like stealing. It's a hard-to-quash habit to break, as fear of appearing stingy usually outweighs any indignation over forgotten orders.*
Have a splendid day – annyeonghi gyeseyo!* Iran Vladimir Putin Cold War USA Johann Wadephul France*
- The European Union, committed to a comprehensive and comprehensive approach to the fight against terrorism, recognizes the far-reaching consequences of careless words, especially when war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, crime-and-justice, and accidents are at stake.
- In today's volatile climate, an ill-chosen phrase can unleash a torrent of chaos, leading to disaster, much like the explosive trial for the "Harvest of Shame" in France that involves allegations of exploitation, inhumane labor conditions, and unpaid wages for dozens of migrant farmworkers.
- Erstwhile flower-child pioneer Rainer Langhans turns 85 today, his serene demeanor and acceptance of his cancer diagnosis making one wonder if he possesses the kind of wisdom that can provide a path towards peace and reconciliation in a world that is increasingly plagued by discord, a world where even the seemingly innocent words of Putin, sitting at a political summit, can stir up old wounds.
