When I saw this week's prompt, I couldn't help but laugh because I recently witnessed an incident where someone's common sense was put to the test. But before I narrate it, let's see what common sense means.
Common sense is basically the idea that certain things are obvious, self-evident, and accepted generally. It's also the ability to apply basic reasoning and logic to everyday situations - like you don't have to wait until someone sounds them in your ears before you act.
For instance, if you're thirsty, no one should tell you that the next thing you do is to have a drink of water. It's simply common sense.
However, common sense is often shaped by individual experiences, one's education and knowledge, including cultures and backgrounds.
Now to the story
A young lady was asked to photocopy some documents. She went to a nearby photocopying center, got the documents copied, and returned with them. But you know what, the documents were barely legible, with black lines and unclear text. Apparently, the machine was faulty.
When she handed them over to the person who sent her, he was baffled and asked her, "Why are they black?" "Didn't you see that the copies weren't clear?"
"That's how the lady at the photocopying center said they would come out." She replied.
"And you collected them, paid, and then brought them to me, to do what, eh?", he asked. "Whatever happened to common sense?", he ended. She kept mum.
I must confess that I was really taken aback by her poor handling of the task, unsound reasoning and response too. Someone with common sense would have known not to accept such a poorly done job. In fact they would have refused to pay for such poor quality copies, and instead gone to another center to get clearer ones.
But sadly, the young lady lacked that common sense in that moment. She accepted the job, paid for it, and only realized her mistake when it was too late.
This incident is a clear indication that common sense isn't always common practice as we think.
The notion that all people have common sense can be misleading. It overlooks how our decisions and behaviors are influenced by our unique experiences, social positions, and cultural backgrounds. What might seem obvious to one person might not be the same for another. Therefore, I don't hold the strong belief that all people possess or exhibit common sense - in the same way.
This image is a good pointer.
There are so many things which seem to be common sense, but I'll just stick to three, as required.
- Locking the doors, windows and gate when leaving home
This is simply the common thing to do because it's a basic precaution to protect your property and prevent unauthorized entry.
- Being on time for appointments and meetings:
Being punctual is something that seems like it should be common sense, but alas, many people struggle with it. Punctuality is not only a sign of respect for other people's time and schedules, but it’s also crucial for establishing trust and credibility.
- Looking both ways before crossing the street:
This one is so obvious, but it’s amazing how many people don’t do it! It’s common sense because it's a fundamental safety measure, and the easiest way to avoid being hit by a car.
These things are considered as common sense because;
- They are universal, widely accepted and practiced.
- It requires minimal thought or effort to do them.
- They have obvious benefits or consequences.
- Finally, they're often learned through basic life experiences or social norms.
As we've seen, common sense is a luxury we can't always afford. It's shaped by our experiences, biases and perspectives. So, the next time you assume someone should know better, remember: sense isn't always common.
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