Road Wise: Not So Common Sense
We were eating in a fast food establishment when a group of rough-around-the-edges teenagers walked in. Because they were teenagers testing the limits of society they were speaking loudly and almost every other word was of the four letter variety. So we couldn’t help but overhear the following comment made by one of the girls in the ‘gang’ and when we did our jaws dropped. So profound, so true!
I don’t know why they call it common sense because it ain’t that f****g common.
You said it sister!
What is “Road Wise?” At the beginning of every month we will share a thought provoking (if sometimes silly) quote with you. We may draw from a variety of sources (signs, brochures or conversations), but they will all have one thing in common—they entered our lives because we are on the road.
Though it’s a bit rougher verbiage than I had heard it used before, it’s right on the money… working where I work, you see that there are lots of smart people with no common sense at all. I often think that common sense is inversely proportional to how smart someone is.
Great point Geoff. We debated whether or not to use the exact quote or to edit it. Eventually we decided to use her words verbatim for two reasons.
One, part of our journey is to experience and appreciate life as we encounter it, not to judge it or “clean it up.”
Two, her statement exemplifies what she is actually saying; that knowledge is not wisdom and that you can have much wisdom without much knowledge (and vice versa). A point you also made.
Thanks for your insight!