Who Wants To Know?

The recent event with Maria Shriver’s marriage reminds me of my mother’s caution of having too many people in your business and broadcasting your personal life.

The news this week has been filled with the so-called scandal of a cheating husband, a wronged wife, a mistress, and children caught in the crossfire.  But….the real question is…  Why is this our business?  There is absolutely no reason that this should have dominated the airwaves this week. 

If someone asked my mother a question that she truly felt was none of their business, her retort would be “Who wants to know.”  Even if the person answered, “I do,” she would then ask again with even more pepper in her voice, “What do you need this information for?”  This would usually shut the person up and they would never get the ‘gossip’ or the inside dirt that they were seeking.

Once again, my mother was right!  Why do we care to celebrate in people’s misery and shame?  We should look to honor their privacy and let people live their lives in peace.

When you are in trouble, people who call to sympathize are really looking for the particulars. ~ Edgar Watson Howe, Country Town Sayings, 1911