How often are you witness to an interview or discussion, when some irritating participant continuously interjects with such hostility, that it makes you bristle? I always admire the person under attack, who claims the arena for him/herself with an air of competent composure. How do these people stay unruffled and focussed, in the face of verbal aggression? More to the point, how do they command such a presence of mind that they can return to their case undeterred, as if nothing had intruded their train of thought in the first place?
As an enthusiast of such people I am silently hoping that they can «hold that thought». That the aim of their argument will take centre stage and my specific interest in the issue will be gratified. I find it increasingly hard to hold a thought when diversions insist on penetrating my mind. I find it equally frustrating to «hold that thought», when another person prattles on ad nauseam with insignificant digressions. Nigel Farage is one such personality, who stands out beyond any other contemporary speaker, for his staunchly focussed character. He has the mental capacity to fend off distractions with the determination to deliver his message at the right time in the right place. No wonder David Cameron refused to appear on stage with Mr. Farage at a prominent Brexit referendum event. How Mr. Farage overcame the tedious and repetitive outbursts from Eddie Izzard on Question Time, deserved him a medal. I can only assume that the BBC placed the two men side by side deliberately, to test the mental grit of Mr. Farage. It was the most fascinating entertainment, which wasn’t exactly the aim of the exercise.
Is it that increasing numbers of people simply have no manners, or has my sense of etiquette become archaic, along with my memory? Certainly, some people are so devoid of substance that they compensate with inane public behaviour, a reflection of their ego, to try and gain points. Interruption is however an efficient weapon for certain politicians, to throw their counterpart off course. So I take my hat off to the truly accomplished individuals, who will not be deterred in completing their train of thought, despite deliberate verbal missiles aimed at creating hurdles of confusion.
Photo: pixelio.de / Andreas Hermsdorf