Many years ago, when I was involved in a law suit, my daughter, Kathleen, sent me a bumper sticker. Although I have lost the sticker, the sentence on it has stuck with me and is something I have used innumerable times.
Someone you have known for a long time, starts making religious comments. Even though that person knows you are of a different faith, there is the supposition that what is being said is factual. Instead of literally fighting back, getting annoyed or putting that person down, I think, “Never try to teach a pig to sing, it’s a waste of time and annoys the pig.” The word “pig” is not complementary, and it is easy to remember the idea when feeling under fire. Instead of blowing up, I change the subject or otherwise stop the conversation.
What does the pig sentence mean? When someone is set in their ways, or tries to manipulate what you think or believe, you need to choose not to engage in a discussion with them. It’s a waste of time! If you comment or try to convert that person to your beliefs, it just annoys them.
A friend was lecturing me about what I should do in regard to a mutual friend. For a dozen reasons, that wasn’t going to happen, and a conversation about it would turn into a harmful disagreement. Instead, I said, “I hear your opinion and we aren’t talking about this any more.” People who try to change you don’t have a vote in your life.
A friend wants to talk to her alcoholic husband about his behavior. An alcoholic has a Jekyll and Hyde personality. Since she can’t guarantee which person will show up, she needs to remember the pig sentence. In doing so, she is not referring to him as a pig, she’s just remembering when it is useless to try to talk to him.
Recently, I talked about not going to the ocean and being mad at it because it isn’ fresh water. Today’s theme is similar; don’t waste time trying to educate or get someone to understand you or hear you who has proven that isn’t going to happen.
Save your breath: Never try to teach a pig to sing, it’s a waste of time and annoys the pig!
Please share with family and friends.
Scott A. McDaniel photo
