I promised myself I would hold my tongue when it comes to commentary. I’ve written my fair share of rants, closed the iPad, and told myself, “That’s it. Enough!” But here we are again. Perhaps it’s the caffeine. Or it’s the national pastime of hypocrisy, now playing in HD — complete with dramatic backstories, well-rehearsed tears, and a loyal comment section.
Many forget about those struggling on the margins the moment their air-conditioning kicks back in. If the problem isn’t blocking their driveway or interrupting their Wi-Fi, it quickly becomes “not my concern.” What we do notice, though, is a smooth talker, someone who can string words together like South Sea pearls, even if the necklace turns out to be fake.
We are easily swayed, amazed, even by the gift of gab that neatly gift-wraps crooked intentions in shiny, emotionally charged packaging. They don’t even have to say anything of substance. Just add a sob story, a quiver in the voice, and a humblebrag about humble beginnings, and suddenly we’re nodding like a dashboard Stitch bobblehead.
Humans, it turns out, are emotional marshmallows. Toast us right, and we’ll melt. Sales, politics, the workplace, even your barkada group chat. The guy with a shiny car and a vague job title? Instant role model. The influencer who starts every caption with “I’m not usually the type to share…” but shares anyway? Instant credibility.
Luckily, some people have developed a natural immunity. The finance folks, for example. They don’t care if you sob, sparkle, or speak in haikus. If the numbers don’t add up, they don’t budge. I once saw someone try to charm a banker by name-dropping half of the city’s Top 50. The banker blinked and asked, “Okay, but what’s your take-home, and how did you fund this business?” Mic dropped. Spreadsheet opened.
The truth is that gullibility is our default setting. We cry during commercials, forward chain messages, and believe reviews written by people named “XxSoftLifeCEO.” And in between all that, we still ask, “Why do I keep getting scammed?”
Other emotions betray us, too. Admiration — especially when confused with competence. Fear — used expertly by people who don’t want to be questioned. Nostalgia — because nothing sells better than a rose-colored version of the past. And of course, hope. Hope — fragile, persistent, and occasionally delusional — makes us say things like, “Maybe this year, our team building won’t involve trust falls and forced TikTok presentations.”
But let’s not be too hard on ourselves. Emotions make us human — they give us depth. They also give us the ability to cry over someone else’s resignation email like it’s a breakup letter. The key is balance. Feel, yes — but also fact-check. Laugh — but also verify.
In the end, the gift of gab might win attention, but it’s the quiet miracle of follow-through that saves the day. Charm may open doors, but consistency keeps the lights on.
And if all else fails, remember, even the best sob story can’t replace a working Excel file.
Still brewing thoughts — no sugarcoating, just stories steeped in truth.
