Chapter 73

On Being Stupid:

The other evening in my bar May, in response to a suggestion that I made, hit the roof and angrily replied,
"I know that. I'm not stupid."
On the verge of replying I caught Susie's eye. It was clear that she thought that any reply I might come up with would be inadvisable.
I remained silent.

However this is what I wish I had said:

"Nobody was suggesting that you are stupid May. So calm down.
Mind you, you like the rest of us are stupid sometimes.
I, for example, want to be with you despite the fact that you appear to be much happier being close to some guy called Peter (name changed to prevent unpleasantness).
Now this must mean, as I am sure you would agree , that I am being stupid.
Of course it would be reasonable for me to reply that the fact that you appear to prefer his company to mine clearly means that you are also being stupid.
So we are both being stupid.
That's ok because that is what life is about - being stupid.
Being stupid - but dealing with it.
The wise person notes when he is acting stupidly and attempts to adapt his behaviour to ameliorate the situation.
The really stupid person either does not attempt to improve the situation but goes on the defensive, denying the charge, or , and this is frighteningly common, just does not appreciate that he or she is being stupid.
Now that is what I would classify as really, really stupid - stupid beyond redemption."

Warming to the theme I would have liked to have continued:

"I see life as a continual battle against stupidity, frequently of my own making, though other people's stupidity can certainly be extremely exasperating.
Immunity to it is a god given gift bestowed on few of us mere mortals, male or female.
In my next life that is what I will ask for, immunity from stupidity."

Ah! I think perhaps, on reflection, that Susie was right to stop me when she did. :-)