I remember one time my friend called and told me about this Portuguese restaurant someone took her too. She talked it up so much. Imagine my surprise when I got to Nandos and the food they sell is chicken and chips!!! I was in my late teens. That was one of the first times I had an inkling that I didn’t understand the art of bullshit but I didn’t worry about it.
It didn’t really hit home until a couple of years ago when my Lil fish blackmailed me into going on a school trip with him. He was 6/7 years old then. We were on our way; I was pretending to read because the kids were already annoying me. Then I heard “…it was a really tough time for my family in Nigeria, we were really struggling so we moved here for a better life”. I looked and looked again, yeap it was my Lil fish talking. In my head, I’m thinking HUH… dude was talking about Nigeria like he actually lived there- but he only found out he’s Nigerian, not Ghanaian a few weeks before. The conversation didn’t end there, someone asked: “where is Nigeria?” Someone else answered, “near Jamaica”. And they all agreed confidently. Now, we all know I’m terrible at geography but even I know that’s not right.
This interaction between these kids made me realised I had it wrong. See, I had gone through life thinking you always have to say it the way it is. I remember one time during an appraisal at work I told my manager “why should I be proud of getting the results I’m being paid to get?”. I didn’t get it at all. I still don’t fully get it- the art of bullshit!
What is it you asked?
No! the art of bullshit is not about saying things that are just crap to get your way or manipulate people.
The art of bullshit is basically learning to dress things up. In a wider application, it's about learning to upsell yourself. Understanding your worth or even your potential and being articulate about it.
I guess it was about my self- esteem issue… I’m very good at many many things but I never felt I was good enough. So, I didn’t see why I had to showcase mediocre. I see things differently now; as my ancestors aptly put it “if no one praises me I’ll praise myself”.
So yes, I am an intelligent woman. I am a fantastic mother. I’ve worked hard for everything I’ve achieved in my life. I have 2 undergraduate degrees and 3 postgraduate degrees. I am beautiful. I am sexy. I am witty. I am playful. I stand tall. I am a God-fearing lady. I am a kind-hearted, sincere person. I am a loyal friend. I am a fantastic listener. I am a problem solver. I am an asset to all those who know my worth. You will never meet anyone as interesting as me.
Oh! and I am a fantastic cook (let’s not mention my “not putting enough salt” challenge)
Ok, now your turn…
So if I get this corretly, I should not be telling people that I am great cook. Instead I will need to say that I am a culinary expert who is highly skilled when it comes to create delicious dishes.
ReplyDeletePeople who don't understand this art of bullshit would decribe me as a cook, but I believe my expertise class me as a CHEF (especially if you consider that I prepared rice-and-beans for the first time last week).
Thanks for this post!!!!
Wait a minute, so according to this art, I am not just a great cook....
ReplyDeleteInstead, I am a creative culinary expert who is highly skilled in preparing tasty delicacies.
So if I get this art of bullshitt-ing right, because of my expertise in the field (considering I made rice and beans last week, for the first time in my life), I should be classed as a CHEF.... hmmm imagine how many international contract I have missed.
Aaahhh....thanks for this post!